The Power of Better

When we’re just starting out — whether in a business or a career — saying “yes” to almost everything is often the right move.

Yes builds experience.
Yes builds confidence.
Yes builds cash flow and keeps the lights on.
Yes exposes us to people, industries, and opportunities we would never find otherwise.

In those early days, yes is momentum. It teaches us, shapes us, and keeps us moving forward.

But over time, I learned something else: the very habit that helped me get started was also holding me back.

Not every “yes” is equal. Some yeses create growth, energy, and trust. Others create stress, frustration, and regret.

That’s when I realized the power of better — not just more.

The Turning Point

The shift came when I recognized that better clients weren’t just “nice to have.” They were the difference between thriving and burning out.

Better clients trusted me, and I trusted them.
Better clients valued the process, not just the result.
Better clients paid fairly and on time.
And better clients brought referrals — because they wanted their peers to have the same experience.

Better clients are simply a better fit. We add more value to better clients, and that extra value translates to better results. Better experiences. Better reviews. Repeat business. More referrals. Better margins. Better profits. We stand out with better customers. All of this is required to build a better business.

Margin went up. Stress went down. My work became more fulfilling.

What Makes a Better Client

Over time, I’ve learned that better clients aren’t just individuals — they come from what I call a Strategic Segment™.
Better clients include:

• Values & strengths aligned — they see the world in a way that resonates with how I work.
• Experience & expertise — they bring maturity in their business or profession that makes partnership productive.
• Profit and size fit — the numbers work for both sides, creating real potential for growth.

When these three elements overlap, that’s a Strategic Segment™. That’s where the best clients — and the best results — come from.

Personal Examples

I’ve said yes to clients I shouldn’t have taken. They drained time, energy, and patience — and taught me the cost of ignoring fit.

I’ve also worked with clients who were a perfect match. Every meeting left us both more energized. They grew. I grew. Those are the ones who remind me why I started coaching in the first place.

Business Application

For any business, the path to better clients looks like this:

• Profile your best clients. Who are they? What do they value? Where did they come from?
• Say no more often. Every “no” to the wrong client creates space for the right one.
• Build systems that attract fit. Referrals, marketing, and positioning should all point toward your version of “better.”

If you’d like a simple way to define your own Strategic Segment™, I’ve created a worksheet that walks you through the process step by step. It’s the same tool I use with my clients to clarify where their best opportunities lie.

Download the Strategic Segment™ Worksheet here

Closing Reflection

Life’s too short to work with clients who drain you.

The real power of better isn’t just in profit. It’s in trust, momentum, and the energy you bring home at the end of the day.

So here’s the challenge: what’s your version of a better client — and what’s your Strategic Segment™?