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Business owners don’t talk about this enough…

Not every client is worth keeping.

Sometimes the money isn’t worth the misery. That’s what Anna and Larry discuss in this episode:

The hidden costs of nightmare clients (boy, do we have some stories!).
A framework for deciding when it is time to let a client go:
- When there is a values misalignment
- When energy drain > revenue gain
- When it becomes a growth limiter
The Pain-in-the-Ass Index™ (PITA Score)
The red flags that tell you it’s time to fire a client
How to be a professional when you let a client go.

man holding telephone screaming — Photo by Icons8 Team on Unsplash

The PITA scoring system

You can use this scoring system to evaluate your working relationship with a client who seems to drain you. It can help you remain objective when deciding whether to keep or fire a client.

A score of “1” means the client is ideal and at the top of your client list for that criterion (e.g., they are very respectful, honor your boundaries, always pay on time, never stress you, align with your values, etc.).

A score of “10” means the client is toxic and at the bottom of your client list for that criterion (e.g., they are very disrespectful, do not honor your boundaries, pay late, stress you, do not align with your values, make you feel dread when they call, etc.).

Final Score = (Average score of the seven criteria) + Gut Check Point (if applicable).

Decision Guide

1–3 = All good — continue engagement.
4–5 = Some concerns — address issues or set firmer boundaries.
6–7 = Serious warning — consider renegotiation or preparing to end it.
≥ 8 = Actively toxic — initiate disengagement soon.

Have you ever had to fire a client? What led you to that decision?

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Larry Cornett is an Empowerment Coach who works with ambitious professionals to help them reclaim their power, become more invincible, and create better opportunities for their work and lives. Do more of what you love and less of what you hate! Check out his new Invincible Solopreneurs Daily Journal!

Anna Codina is a peak performance coach who helps busy owners detach from work to live better personal lives. Are you feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or struggling to find that elusive work-life harmony? You're not alone. Her coaching philosophy is simple: Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Get unstuck in 15 mins!

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