Dear Frustrated,

We've all been there, just one non-paying client away from the last straw, one snarky RUSH order away from snapping on some high school kid in India, one 150 year current owner search from a box of wine.  Hold tight friend, we're all also just one client away from life-long friendships, genuine concern when business slows, and validations that you're doing a great job.  

Keep being you, be kind, be helpful.  Do quality work as quickly as possible (take a damn lunch break) and for Christ's sake value your work.  Its just money.  They print new money every day.  You don't always get a second chance for time taken with your family or a critical dr. appt.

I haven't caught anyone red handed stealing my clients, but I have been undercut a time or two on fees. Keep faith because I have also seen other abstractors go through chemo treatments and our local crew rally around them covering their clients' work, return and not accept work from those clients ever again after treatment was over and request payment for that work be donated to the abstractor undergoing treatment.  I've heard genuine saddness from a vendor when they've called looking for a new abstractor after their prior abstractor passed away.  And I've seen genuine joy from clients and my competition through gifts when my children were born.  

I too find myself "frustated" at some points, but more often than not I see the small kindnesses, the pointers, the comradery, the flexibity in working for yourself.  Find your tribe in the record room, do good work and the good clients will find you.  If you can't find your tribe locally I'm listed on here!

All my best,

Paige