Sometimes the most difficult thing you will do is figure out where not to spend your time.

For instance, a possible prospect came across my radar late last year. I reached out to him. We communicated through email and connected several times in person, with him expressing interest in my services.

After we met and discussed a scope of work, I drafted a proposal and sent it to him.

And… nothing.

I followed up several times with phone calls and emails. However, I never got a response. Although he and his business partner have created a very cool start-up company (and I would have loved to have contributed to it), I finally had to move on.

Don’t waste your precious time with prospects who either aren’t interested, have no need for you, or not ready for you. They’ve got your contact information. The ball is now in their court to reach out if they really want to work with you.

And that’s the way you want it. You want to be desired by them because ultimately, those make the best clients. Let go of fruitless pursuits and keep shaking the trees for the ones who are ready for you. That way, you won’t be spinning your wheels.