Reigniting Creative Passions: From Burnout to Breakthrough with Mike Brennan {Ep. 74}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Release Date: 10/17/2024
Is it Scope Creep? What to Do When Clients Keep Asking for Changes {Ep. 93}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with clients who ask for too much and want constant changes? In this episode, we’re diving into the challenges of handling clients' change requests and the importance of setting clear boundaries. I’ll share my experiences, explain why clients make such demands, and offer practical advice on how to guide clients effectively. Learn how to: - communicate expectations about changes, - establish guidelines in your contracts and interactions to maintain control over projects, and - ultimately, reduce everyone's stress! 00:27 The Challenge of Client Requests...
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The Creative Freelancer’s Guide to Handling Clients Who Don’t Pay Back Expenses {Ep. 92}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
What should you do when clients don’t reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses? Today, we’re talking about the importance of managing out-of-pocket expenses for clients to protect your financial stability and business operations. I'll share my own personal experiences of being left unreimbursed, highlight the distinction between service fees and expenses, and I offer some legal insights on setting clear boundaries and payment terms in client contracts. Key issues include creating enforceable agreements, understanding opportunity costs, and avoiding financial risks by establishing...
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Feeling Undervalued by Clients? How to Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Confidence {Ep. 91}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Do you feel like your clients don't value you or your experience? In this episode, I discuss how to handle situations where you don't feel valued by your clients. We talk about the importance of over-communicating, and why it's often our responsibility to educate clients on how to value us. We’ll look at the significance of communicating boundaries and expectations, and I’ll give you some actionable steps to improve client relationships as I share a personal story to illustrate these points and offer strategies for having tough conversations with clients. Remember, it's about...
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Write Your Own Contract (with the Support of a Lawyer, Educator, and Business Consultant) {Ep. 90}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you ready to start using your contract to attract the clients and the money you want? If so, then our upcoming contract course is for you. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL IN THE ! We start the week of September 29, 2025. This live, eight-week course helps you tackle common issues like scope creep, client ghosting, and unclear expectations. Effective contracts should reflect your values and positively influence client relationships, making them crucial for smooth projects and better opportunities. Enrollment is now open, and the course aims to equip you with the tools needed for enhanced...
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The Real Reason Clients Hire or Fire You: Your Contract Matters {Ep. 89}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you tired of chasing invoices, dealing with scope creep, and working for clients who don’t respect your boundaries? In this episode, I uncover the real reason clients hire or fire you: you’ll find it in your contract. From my experiences with countless clients and students across various industries, I’ve found common patterns that can prevent you from thriving. Listen and learn why using internet templates or borrowed contracts isn't enough and how creating a custom contract can lead to respect, timely payments, and enjoyable work. ⚡ I also introduce my Contracts...
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The ONE Contract Clause that lets you Stop Work when Clients Don’t Pay {Ep. 88}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with clients who don't pay on time? In this episode, I’m debunking the myth that you have to continue working even if you're not paid - and I am sharing vital strategies on handling non-paying clients. From the importance of a solid contract to proactively setting consequences for non-payment, I’ll guide you step-by-step on protecting your time, energy, and reputation. Key topics include avoiding the sunk cost fallacy, using plain language in contracts and negotiations, and setting monetary and non-monetary consequences. Learn how to safeguard your freelance...
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Freelance Contracts: How to Fire a Client when they Cross the Line {Ep. 87}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling with a client who crosses the line? Today, I discuss how to address disrespectful clients, set boundaries, and communicate expectations clearly with freelance clients. I’ll share my own experiences and provide practical advice on how to handle clients who are disrespectful of your time and energy. Key points include the right time to address disrespect, differentiating between client needs and disrespect, and leveraging contracts to set boundaries. 00:59 The Right Time to Address Disrespect 02:32 Humanizing Client Relationships 04:21 Communicating Expectations and...
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Setting Boundaries with Clients as a Creative Freelancer: How to Be Friendly and Firm {Ep. 86}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Are you struggling to maintain boundaries while being friendly with clients? In this episode, I share a personal story about the turning point that made me realize the importance of setting boundaries - and how I learned to strike that balance. From being available 24/7 to implementing strict communication rules, learn how to protect your time and energy while still maintaining a good relationship with your clients. Key points discussed include: understanding the difference between being liked and respected, defining your deal breakers, and how personal habits spill over into...
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Your Client Wants Unlimited Revisions. Here’s How to Set Boundaries That Protect Your Time {Ep. 85}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Tired of endless revisions and unclear expectations with your clients? If so, then today’s episode is for you! In this episode, I dive into how you can limit the number of revisions and feedback opportunities for clients by including three key sentences in your contract. Learn why it’s wrong to believe 'the client is always right' and get actionable steps to ensure both you and your clients have aligned expectations, ultimately fostering more respectful and productive professional relationships. 02:24 The Myth of 'The Client is Always Right' 03:56 Key Contract Clauses to Limit Revisions...
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Why Cookie-Cutter Frameworks Don't Work For Creative Freelancers {Ep. 84}
Managing Client Disputes for Creatives | Freelance Burnout, Scope Creep, Contracts for Freelancers
Do you have a framework for your client work? One that works time and time again? If not, then today’s episode is for you! Today, we tackle an issue that's more prevalent than ever – the misguided belief in cookie-cutter solutions offered by so-called 'gurus'. Their frameworks may have worked for them, but that doesn't mean they'll work for you. This episode delves deep into rejecting societal pressures of perfectionism, the importance of viewing life and work as experiments, and setting clear boundaries with clients. Learn how to attract the right clients, the right projects,...
info_outlineIn this insightful episode, you’ll engage with Creative Consultant Mike Brennan to discuss the journey of rediscovering and sustaining creativity in everyday life and business. Together, we explore the vulnerability of creativity, establishing a daily creative habit, overcoming societal pressures, and the therapeutic power of creative expression.
Mike shares his personal transformation from ministry burnout to becoming a creative professional through a 365-day art challenge, highlighting the importance of reflection, small consistent actions, and systematic approaches to maintain creative momentum.
Listen in to gain practical advice on integrating creativity into your life, reconnecting with personal passions, and leveraging tools like the Daily Creative Habit journal to foster continuous growth and innovation.
05:32 Mike's Journey and Creative Philosophy
13:17 The Daily Creative Habit
21:32 Rediscovering Art and Creativity
38:47 Integrating Life and Creativity
40:31 Overcoming Creative Blocks
47:13 Consistency and Prioritization
59:40 Resources for Creativity
👉🏽 KEY TAKEAWAYS
Daily Creative Habit as a Solution: Mike emphasizes the importance of establishing a "daily creative habit" to foster consistency in creative work, especially for those feeling stuck or overwhelmed by other priorities.
Everyone is Creative: The episode expands the definition of creativity beyond traditional arts, explaining that creativity manifests in various forms like organizing, cooking, writing, or even building systems.
Overcoming Creative Repression: The podcast discusses how many individuals, especially lawyers and other professionals, suppress their creativity because of societal or familial expectations. The message is clear: it's never too late to reignite creative passions.
Intentional Creative Time: Creativity doesn’t just happen on its own; you must intentionally carve out time and space for creative exploration, even if you’re living a busy or demanding life.
Transformative Power of Creativity: The episode shares personal stories about how reconnecting with creative practices helped the speaker and others rediscover joy, passion, and a sense of purpose, highlighting how creativity can bring healing and fulfillment.
👉🏽 COMPELLING EPISODE QUOTES
"I help people establish what I call a daily creative habit. It’s for those who want to engage with their creativity but have lost touch, or who have a creative goal yet struggle with consistency." - Mike Brennan
"We need to expand our definition of what creativity is so that it’s more inclusive, not just confined to painting or performing arts. You can be creative in how you organize, cook, or even build systems." - Mike Brennan
"So many lawyers are repressed creatives. They’re told, ‘You can’t make money with that. It’s a nice hobby but not a career.’ And then they choose a path like law, never realizing how creative they actually are." - Sheila M. Wilkinson
"There was a time when you created something just because it brought you joy. What if you returned to that place, where your work wasn’t tied to clients or expectations, but simply to you?" - Mike Brennan
"Creativity is about showing up, doing a lot of bad work before you get to the good, and going on a journey of self-discovery and curiosity." - Mike Brennan
📧 RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW
Connect with Mike and Sign up for Mike’s free newsletter
Grab your copy of the 90–Day Creative Habit Tracker!
Tag us on Instagram and LinkedIn
✍🏽 LET’S CONNECT!
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FREE Resources: https://sheilawilkinson.com/links
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