In my post “Breaking Up (With Clients) Doesn’t Have To Be Hard” I talked about ways to end a client relationship on good terms. But how do you know when it’s time to say good-bye?

Often, as I alluded to in that post, we let fear keep us in relationships – professional and otherwise – that we’d be better off without.

First, know this: To get the writing jobs you truly desire, you must “make room” for them. This means letting go of jobs that no longer benefit you in some way or another.

Trust Your Gut

Esther and Jerry Hicks, in their book The Law of Attraction: The Basics of the Teachings of Abraham cite an Emotional Guidance System every human being possesses. If we can get in touch with our emotions, they will guide us to the right decision. We can get in better touch with our emotions through:

• meditation
• journalling
• prayer
• quiet contemplation
• music…
• or whatever method works best for you

When a writing job is not in line with our greater purpose and goals, our Emotional Guidance System sends out warning signs. If a writing job doesn’t “feel” right, it is probably not a good fit anymore. Ask yourself the following questions to decide:

1. Do I look forward to working on this project?
2. Do I push it to the bottom of my to-do list so it doesn’t get done until deadline time?
3. How do emails and phone calls from the editor or client make me feel: filled with dread, or oozing excitement and anticipation?

Procrastination could also be a result of fear that you won’t do a good job or the feeling that you’re “out of your league” with a project. Listen to your emotions and make sure this isn’t the case.

If you’ve been doing a job with proficiency for a long time, chances are you’re burnt out and it’s time to let go. On the other hand, if it’s a new project, larger or more high-profile than anything you’ve done before, your emotions probably stem from fear of doing the job correctly.

Physical Symptoms of “Burn Out”

I’m using the phrase “trust your gut” literally. Negative emotions can manifest in physical symptoms, including:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• “Butterflies in the tummy”
• Exhaustion
• An overall sense of dread
• Mild depression

“But I Need the Money”

As business people, we must weigh the practical aspects against our feelings. I would never recommend giving up a $1/word column that pays the better part of your bills each month with no way to replace your income.

Instead, continue the work and set aside part of the day to look for other assignments you’ll enjoy. Consider subcontracting parts of your current assignment so you can collect partial income and keep the door open to come back if you choose.

Of course, sometimes a situation becomes untenable and you have to jump ship and expect a life boat to be waiting. I’ve left magazine editing jobs under those circumstances. Leaving yourself with “No Plan B” can work, if you have absolute faith that you will succeed. Because if you believe you will – you will.

If you stick around in situations where you simply can’t stand it anymore, the harder it will be to leave on good terms. Your work will suffer and the client will see it. The client may even make the decision for you, and since freelancers don’t get unemployment, this strategy isn’t the best. Instead, get out while the getting is good.

Your emotional guidance system is the most effective way to determine if a freelance writing job is still a good fit for you. But there are other ways, too. Writers, what signs tell you that you’ve outgrown a writing gig?