Hi Reader!
Both of my sisters are currently going through different endings in their professional lives.
And as I reminded one sister this week, every ending isn’t a failure.
Sometimes choosing to end something is not only the right choice, but a win. Maybe:
- they keep pushing your boundaries
- you want different outcomes
- you’ve outgrown it
- it is no longer aligned
Very few things last for time and all eternity. So accepting that it’s time to end and closing it out thoughtfully and clearly shows that you are a professional.
And when you shift your mindset from “it’s a failure” to “it’s a natural progression” and tie up any loose ends, you’ll keep relationships intact.
(In fact, that’s exactly why, as part of the collaboration series, I shared three scripts for ending collaborations in a way that protects your energy and the relationship.)
So if you are in the middle of an ending right now, spend a few minutes thinking about what’s unclear and how you can add clarity in the winding-up process.
And if you aren’t in the middle of an ending right now, jot down one or two things that aren’t clear about an existing relationship, so that you can add clarity there.
👉 Your action item
What’s one thing that’s unclear about an ending (or current) relationship? What’s one small thing you can do to add clarity today?
If you only have 20 minutes this week, the task above is the most important thing to do. But if you have a little more time, keep reading.
Chat soon,
P.S. If you are in the middle of an ending, I know how hard they can be. It’s far easier to be on the outside without the swirl of emotions. So if you need a neutral sounding board to figure out what actions could help you walk away gracefully, hit reply, and I’ll try to help.
The clause to notice
One small section of a contract that can have an outsized impact later.
This week’s clause: Termination
Termination clauses explain when and how the agreement can be ended, including whether both of you can end the agreement or if you need a reason to walk away. Ultimately, this clause keeps endings clear and fair by preventing confusion, protecting your time, and clarifying payment when things end early.
A common red flag: When the other side is the only one who can end the relationship or walk away for any reason.
Having a place to check clauses like this before you sign a contract saves a lot of stress and second-guessing. The Contract Decoder makes your next contract review easier.
LATEST VIDEO
How to end a collaboration that no longer fits
Ending a collaboration can be done with clarity and grace. In this post, I give you short, copyable exit scripts for different scenarios and a checklist to close a collaboration without drama. These steps protect your work and preserve relationships.
Other things on my radar…
- It’s been three years since the CCB opened as an alternative way to resolve copyright disputes. And more than 1,700 claims have been filed. The first report summarizing what is (and isn’t) working is now available.
- I get these kinds of scam emails forwarded all the time from clients with active trademark registrations. It’s something I warn them will drastically increase once they have a registration. If you have a trademark, here’s a good rundown of some of the current scams we are seeing.
- If your products, services, or website is used by minors, then you’ll want to be aware of a new South Carolina law that still has lots of question marks. (And it is very similar to the laws in California and Maryland that are tied up in the courts.)
- I’ve been curiously watching the past few years the development of Matthew McConaughey’s trademarks. And it appears that the logic behind this was to prevent AI deepfakes. I’ll be watching to see if other celebrities take this route (and how McConaughey chooses to enforce these trademarks.)
