How not to wait while waiting to hear from a prospective client

So you’ve sent a marketing letter, or answered an RFP, or in the case of AssistU VAs, a reply to a Registry request, and you find yourself on pins and needles, with your head buzzine with questions like, "How long will it take to hear back?" "What does the PC think of what I shared about myself and my business?" "Did I say too much/too little?" "Are my skills where they should be?" "Could I have done it better or differently--and would it have been better if I had?"

We’ve all been there. Me included.

So here’s something to think about—because, let’s face it, the waiting game really sucks!

In my experience, having watched thousands and thousands of clients come through the AssistU Registry (our referral service), and having up-close-and-personal interaction with those who choose to go through my Registry Gold process, they usually reply really quickly if they’re interested in talking further. That doesn’t mean that you may not hear from someone later, but chances aren’t good that you will.

So don’t wait. Instead, try this:

As you press the send button/seal the envelope/drop something in a mailbox, release it and your desire to talk with the PC to the Universe/God. Have no attachment to the outcome.Trust that whatever is supposed to happen is exactly what will happen. Then--just go about your business and life.

I know that having no attachment to the outcome is hard. How can you detach from it when you want clients and there's one so close you can almost taste him?

In truth, it’s rather like playing fetch with your dog. You throw the stick, the dog runs after it, and when he finds it, he may—or may not—decide to return it to you. But once you’ve thrown it, there’s literally nothing you can do until you see if it comes back.

Chances are, when you play fetch, you toss that stick, but don’t have any real attachment to whether or not your dog actually brings it back to you. I mean, on some level you think it would be great, because it would mean he’s smart, but if it doesn’t happen, it’s probably no big deal for you.

And that’s the way you have to be when replying to a prospective client…thinking that it would be great if the PC responded and wanted to talk further with you (because it would mean he’s smart! ;) ), but if it doesn’t happen, it’s no big deal.

If you spend your time actively waiting, and going through the machinations that most people go through while they wait , you can’t possibly be present to opportunities that may be showing up in the now.

Bit O’Moxie: The now is all you have. Focus on what’s in front of you, and stop staring sadly at the past and/or longingly at the future. It’s a crappy game. And you’ve much better things to do with your time than play it.

Comments

[Rachael]

Thank you for this Stacy! It was like you were talking right to me. I feel this way about the Registry process. Especially when you work so hard crafting an authentic response and then not hearing anything at all. I will work on letting the results not be as important as the doing.

[Diana Soloman]

I agree, Rachael- I have talked with three potential clients i nthe last few days, thought it went very well, and now have heard nothing... relaly hard not to wonder what I did, or did not do, that would have made a difference! Ok, out to the Universe for whatever will happen...! Thanks, Stacy....

[Monica]

Thanks, Stacy. Prior to reading this, I would have absolutely been on pins and needles awaiting a response from the registry. This is just what I needed to read as I begin this process and reply to my first registry request. (I do feel "MUCH" better! :))