Focused on Busy

Whenever we get really busy with something important, we focus on that one thing and put everything else in the background.  What have you put off that needs your attention now?

One thing you are less aware of is your clients’ activities.  You spent the last few months focusing on other important things that you haven’t paid much attention to your clients. How much did you miss? What happened in your absence?  Surely you don’t think they put their businesses on hold until you were available. No, they continued without you.

Messages From Being Busy

There are some dangerous messages that could be derived from your absence.  One is that maybe they really don’t need you as much as they thought, or that you want them to. Another is that you don’t really care enough to keep in touch with them.  Or that being their trusted advisor is only applicable during certain times, but not all the time.

One of my very good friends was a partner (retired) who told me of a time when he encountered a business owner who complained that he needed his unavailable “trusted advisor.” As my friend listened to this owner’s frustration, he said it really got his attention. He decided that he would no longer be so preoccupied as to pull himself offline from his clients. In fact, I recall that my friend gained a new client as a result of that exchange.

Reconnect After Being Busy

Your clients’ needs don’t stop just because you are busy elsewhere. They will manage without you, including finding someone who is available.

Maybe it’s time to reconnect with your clients to make sure they know you are still there and that they didn’t get a wrong message from your absence. You will find that they will be pleased that you took the initiative to reach out–not to collect on an invoice, but to check in on how they are doing.

Your clients really do like you and appreciate your attention. Be available.