61. Habit of the Week: Practice Saying No

This Week’s Habit:

Practice Saying No to protect your time, reduce stress, and make space for projects that truly align with your business goals.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why saying no helps create space for the right clients and projects.
• How to recognize red flags and set boundaries to protect your time and energy.
• Simple strategies for declining projects while remaining helpful and professional.

Practical Steps to Get Started:

1. Recognize Red Flags – Spot signs of difficult clients, like unrealistic demands or a history of designer conflicts.
2. Offer a Solution – Refer clients to trusted services or colleagues when a project isn’t the right fit.
3. Set Time Boundaries – Decline last-minute requests that disrupt your schedule and offer alternative timelines.
4. Have a Go-To Response – Prepare polite, firm decline templates for easy communication.
5. Communicate Boundaries Early – Clearly outline your working hours in proposals, email signatures, and your website.

Who This Episode Is For:

Web designers and solopreneurs looking to set healthier boundaries, avoid overcommitment, and focus on projects that align with their expertise and goals.

Reflection on Last Week’s Habit:

Why Building a Strong Referral Network Matters

Last week, I focused on strengthening referral partnerships—a habit that has significantly contributed to my business growth, especially through my involvement with BNI. While networking brought some unexpected opportunities, balancing it with client work was a challenge, particularly as I stepped into a leadership role. This week reminded me how powerful even casual conversations can be for long-term success.

About your host: Cami MacNamara, better known as WebCami, has 20+ years of experience running a successful one-person web design business. She’s a former Seattle WordPress Meetup volunteer (2018–2023), a WordPress speaker, and the author of the Web Designer Habits newsletter (formerly HabitsWP). Cami also moderates the WebCami Cafe Facebook group, a supportive space for web designers. With over 600 websites designed and 200+ managed monthly, she’s passionate about sharing habits and strategies to help web designers be happier and more productive.

Sign up for updates at WebDesignerHabits.com and join my Facebook group at WebCamiCafe.com for more tips and accountability. Connect with me at WebCami.com and don’t forget to tune in next Sunday for another habit and another episode. Let’s keep building better habits together!