When running a design business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of tolerating things that hold you back. Whether it’s a poor-performing team member, inefficient processes, or even clients that drain your energy, what you tolerate in business impacts your profits, growth, and well-being. It’s time to take a closer look at these tolerances and make the changes necessary to thrive when you eliminate excuses in business.
Here’s how you can identify what you’re tolerating in your interior design business and life and how to create a healthier, more profitable future.
Episode Timestamps:
- (0:05) Introduction to the concept of tolerations and their impact on life and business.
- (3:15) The cost of tolerating poor performance from team members, contractors, and vendors.
- (8:45) The importance of not tolerating poor-fit clients and how it affects business.
- (15:50) Sacrifice is a choice, not a requirement, especially when it comes to long hours and burnout.
- (36:40) The need to eliminate excuses in both personal and professional life to stop stagnation.
1. Acknowledge What You’re Tolerating
It all starts with awareness. If you’re constantly feeling stressed, exhausted, or stuck, it’s time to take stock of what you’re tolerating. Maybe it’s an underperforming contractor, inefficient systems, or a lack of work-life balance. Often, we tolerate more than we realize, which blocks us from moving forward.
Start by writing a list of everything that’s slowing you down. This could be anything from a toxic client relationship to a software program that just isn’t cutting it anymore. The more honest you are, the better.
2. Set Higher Standards in Your Team and Processes
As an interior designer, you’re surrounded by collaborators: contractors, installers, craftsmen, and vendors. Are they meeting your standards for quality and timelines? If not, you may be tolerating poor performance that’s costing you more than just time and money—it’s impacting your reputation.
It’s time to set clear expectations, eliminate excuses in business, and hold everyone accountable. If they can’t meet your standards, it’s okay to replace them. Running a high-end design business means working with professionals who reflect the same level of excellence you offer your clients.
3. Let Go of the Wrong Clients
One of the biggest tolerations in interior design is working with clients who aren’t a good fit. These might be the ones who constantly push your boundaries, haggle over prices, or suck the joy out of a project. The truth is, tolerating poor-fit clients will only attract more of them, leading to burnout and frustration.
Instead, focus on attracting clients who align with your vision and appreciate the value you bring. Don’t be afraid to walk away from clients who don’t respect your expertise or drain your energy.
4. Fix Inefficiencies in Your Operations
Are you tolerating operational inefficiencies that waste time and money? Whether it’s a disorganized workflow or outdated technology, tolerating these issues can keep you from reaching your full potential. Assess the areas in your business that could use streamlining, eliminate excuses, and invest in systems and processes that allow you to work smarter, not harder.
It’s also important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Many designers fall into the trap of sacrificing their personal life for the sake of their business. While sacrifice might seem necessary, it’s a choice—and not always the best one. The more you tolerate long hours and burnout, the harder it is to sustain success.
5. Eliminate Excuses in Business and Take Action
It’s easy to make excuses for what you tolerate, whether it’s saying you don’t have time, money, or resources to make a change. But excuses only keep you stuck. Today, there are free resources everywhere—podcasts, webinars, online communities—offering guidance and solutions to the challenges you’re facing.
Write down your tolerances, get clear on what needs to change, and start making actionable steps toward eliminating them. Whether it’s upgrading your processes, addressing a team issue, or removing toxic clients from your roster, every step you take moves you closer to the success and fulfillment you desire.
6. Check in with Yourself Regularly
After you’ve identified and addressed what you’re tolerating, it’s important to keep the momentum going. Eliminate excuses in business by setting aside 15 minutes each week to review any new tolerances that may have cropped up. This practice helps you stay on top of things and ensures that you’re always moving forward, instead of slipping back into old habits.
By consistently checking in with yourself, you create the space to continue growing, evolving, and improving your business and personal life.
Key Takeaways
Tolerating the wrong things in your interior design business not only costs you time and money but also your energy and joy. By becoming aware of what you’re tolerating, setting higher standards, and taking action to remove these obstacles, you can create a more successful and fulfilling design business.
Remember, you have more control over your circumstances than you think. The first step is awareness, followed by action. It’s time to start eliminating excuses in business and start thriving in both your business and life.
When you’re ready to increase your interior design practice profits, work exclusively with ideal clients, and enjoy the time and resources for your extraordinary life, explore your coaching options. We’ve got your back in the business of interior design.
