“I need to talk with you about some things…”
Does anyone else go into a cold sweat when someone says these words to you?
Why is it that when someone says they need to talk, I immediately think I did something wrong?
I recently had a painting customer email about a minor issue after we completed their painting project. As I read the email I immediately became defensive and anxious. After a few minutes…ok more like an hour or so…I paused and asked ‘why?”.
Why am I assuming the worst?
The client wasn’t upset just wanted the issue fixed. They enjoyed working with us so why would they all of a sudden become rude?
I wasn’t perfect. I didn’t complete a perfect job. So I failed. Now they will question me as a painter, leave a bad Google review, might have to redo the entire project for free and ultimately never get another painting job again…
Wow! Overreact much?
Pause. Yes, there were some minor touch-ups. So what? And so what if they were big problems?
Take a step back, assess the situation, and then move forward.
People make mistakes and that’s ok. No one is perfect. Own it and move on.
Besides, what good is worrying about it going to accomplish?