Does that hurt? Then don’t do that.

How many of us work on projects, take on clients, or attempt to do things that we know we’re just hurting ourselves trying to handle? *hint: the answer starts with every and ends with one*

When I attempted to hand code html or php, it hurts. So I don’t do that anymore. Instead, I found someone that I trust and I can work with that does enjoy hand coding for me, does it at a great price, and allows me to focus on my own strengths.

If I tried to work in illustrator and create things like Abduzeedo’s #377 Daily inspiration , that would hurt too. So guess what? I don’t do that. I hire someone for those pieces too.

Oh, and if I were required to do all my own accounting? Well, lets just say I’d probably need the Madoff defense…

Instead, I spend my time working with clients on blog management, wordpress and typepad designs and teaching people how to improve their social media strategy. Why? Because it doesn’t hurt when I do that.

I also don’t take on clients that are trying to get work for free, are extreme headaches or that I know won’t be worth working with. While this may sound harsh, not all clients are the same, and money does not make the “pain” worth it. (Freelance Folder has a great article about the types of projects you should turn down).

Bottom line, if you are doing something that causes you pain (mental, physical, emotional), stop doing it. You are amazingly talented at {fill in your own blank} and that is what you should focus on. Leave the extra stuff to someone else, because it is always less expensive to hire a professional than end up hurting yourself by attempting to do something you’re just not good at.

Now onto the fun part: Win a free bag of the oh-so-amazing Portola Coffee – just by adding a comment!!!

Here’s how: Add a comment to the post telling us one thing (or many things) that hurt when you do them. Or, things you have given up that did hurt.

C’mon…it’ll feel good to share, I promise!!

Then, tomorrow (tuesday) at 12pm PST, I will select one of the comments at random, and send you a fantastic bag of your choice, just in time for the holidays!

*extra comment credit to the first person who can tell me from which movie I got the quote and the book*

UPDATE: The winner of the free @PortolaCoffee is: @swoodruff Your comment was picked by random.org Congrats!!

Related posts:

1. How do you know you’re choosing the right something new to do?
2. Imploring you to de-lurk