I told my client that I'd be working on my own stuff for a week which has some overlap with a project he'd like me to start for him soon. He's been calling me every day, and like a good boy I've been picking up and giving him updates on how my related stuff is going. Yesterday I realized this was putting pressure on me to essentially be working for him instead of doing MY OWN THINGS.
I don't fault him because I never set the boundary properly (I'm new to contracting), but what do you guys suggest I do to stop this dynamic? I'm behind on my own work because of this and have lost sleep as well (I don't like feeling owned, part of the reason I left full time employment).
The way I see it, there are two options:
1) Fix my mindset without saying anything, and next time he calls just accept the fact that I don't have an update for him because I'm not currently working for him.
2) Communicate to him directly saying that I expect him to give me space and not call me unless I'm working on a project for him.
Any tips?
I don't fault him because I never set the boundary properly (I'm new to contracting), but what do you guys suggest I do to stop this dynamic? I'm behind on my own work because of this and have lost sleep as well (I don't like feeling owned, part of the reason I left full time employment).
The way I see it, there are two options:
1) Fix my mindset without saying anything, and next time he calls just accept the fact that I don't have an update for him because I'm not currently working for him.
2) Communicate to him directly saying that I expect him to give me space and not call me unless I'm working on a project for him.
Any tips?
Comment