Lately, I’ve been stuck in this frustrating loop. Chasing after a couple of overdue invoices only to have the client pop up with new project requests feels surreal.
It’s tough to juggle being professional while feeling like I need to prioritize getting paid first. Every chat just seems loaded with stress now.
I just get paid before starting work. Simple fix.
That mixed feeling hits hard when you’re trying to stay professional but also need to get paid.
Here’s what worked for me:
Something like “Thanks for thinking of me for this project. Before we dive in, can we wrap up invoice #123 from last month? Once that’s sorted, I’d love to discuss your new requirements.”
The key is not ignoring their request completely. That just makes things weird. Address it, then redirect. Most clients get it and respect the boundary once you make it clear without being pushy about it.
Chasing payments is tough. I usually hold off on new work until invoices are settled. Keeps it clear.
Send a polite but direct message about the overdue invoice before discussing any new projects. Something like “Let’s get the previous invoice sorted first, then we can talk about your new request.”
Once you set that boundary, the conversations get way less awkward. Clients respect it more than you think they will.
Stop taking on new work from clients who owe you money. Simple rule that fixes this mess fast.
When they ask for new projects, tell them you need to clear the outstanding balance first. Most will pay up quick when they realize work stops otherwise.
The stress comes from mixing old debt with new requests. Keep them separate. Get current on payments before discussing anything new.