In case of emergency ...

I always make a point to listen to the flight attendants when we travel.

Because … 1) I feel bad for them with everyone else completely zoning out, and 2) the oxygen mask announcement never stops being relevant.

“Secure your own oxygen mask before helping others.”

Translation: If you can’t breathe, you can’t possibly be useful.

***

It was 11:18 on a Wednesday when my business suddenly needed oxygen.

The subject line: “Quick Update”

The gut-punch: “We appreciate all that you’ve done for us. But we’ve decided to bring our creative team in-house …”

OUCH. A major client — GONE.

And with them, a huge chunk of revenue, and frankly, my own pride.

First instinct? … Hyperventilation.

In between shallow breaths, I started calculating how many smaller projects it would take to make up the loss. I wondered what we could have done differently. How we could have made them “happier”.

It felt like this was the first domino in an inevitable chain-reaction of total business collapse.

#justabitdramatic

***

And then it hit me.

This relationship had been draining my oxygen for months.

“Quick calls” that took hours. Constant last-minute requests. A communication process that made Groundhog Day look like a linear timeline.

I was bending over backwards, holding my breath, and running on fumes — desperately trying to adapt our process to fit theirs.

Losing them wasn’t the emergency.

The REAL emergency was that I neglected my own oxygen mask for way too long.

***

Think of your energy like a Jenga tower. Every time you compromise boundaries, try to be something you’re not, or accept misaligned work, you’re carelessly pulling out another block.

I was doing it without even realizing.

And when this client left? The entire tower collapsed.

Scary? Uh, yeah.

But that collapse gave me room to breathe again — and the clarity to see what needed rebuilding.

So here are my takeaways:

1. Energy is as measurable as your bank account.
   Start tracking how much each client energizes vs. drains you. It’s as important as profit margins.

2. Boundaries are your oxygen mask.
   They’re not selfish — they’re survival. Protect them like your business depends on it (because, frankly, it does). Every time you accept a rush project or compromise your process, you’re sapping that supply.

3. Losing work is NOT losing worth.
   Sometimes letting go is the best plan, even when it bruises your ego a little. The absence of a draining situation makes space for better-fit opportunities.

Now it’s your turn.

What in your business is draining your oxygen reserve? …

Which clients, projects, or habits are you continuing at the expense of yourself?

Because here’s the truth, friends — if you’re running on fumes and caffeine, you can’t possibly do your best work for anyone.

Secure your mask first. Then build the business that lets you breathe.

Power Prompt

When you’re in a mentally-taxing situation, it's hard to make smart, strategic decisions. Use this prompt to step back, reflect, and identify which client relationships support your growth — and which ones are slowly suffocating your joy and creativity.

PASTE THIS AI PROMPT:

You are a business coach and strategist helping me reflect on my recent client work. I want to make more aligned decisions that support my energy, creativity, and business growth.

Help me review my recent client or project work. I want to identify:

1. Which clients or projects felt energizing, exciting, or aligned

2. Which ones felt draining, frustrating, or misaligned

3. Any patterns or red flags I should look out for in future work

Next, guide me to define what my ideal client or project looks like, based on my working style, values, and long-term business goals.
 

Ever achieved something big…
and feel nothing?

My friend Ryan Watts is an incredible coach who really gets it. 

We recently had a deep conversation on his podcast about purpose, burnout, and building success that actually feels good.

If you've ever looked at your calendar and thought, "THIS is supposed to be success?" — Ryan’s your guy. He created a 2-minute quiz to help you figure out whether you're chasing the right kind of success.

It's fast, free, and surprisingly eye-opening.

Take Ryan’s Personal Success Quiz 

In 48 hours, you’ll get a personalized Success Guide — plus an extra-special bonus you don’t want to miss. 😉

[ Deep breaths. You’ve got this. ]

If you’re ready, here’s a few ways to reach out.

Virtual Coffee

Want a website that converts casual browsers into clients? Let’s talk. In just 15 minutes, I’ll tell you exactly what’s holding your brand back — and how to fix it.

One-on-One Deep Dive

Ready for real transformation? Let's spend 60 minutes mapping out your business evolution. We'll tackle your biggest marketing challenges and create a customized, actionable roadmap for growth. Ideal for entrepreneurs who are done waiting on "perfect."