When a client inquiry arrives, dread usually means you've been ghosted too much or swamped with requests. Reframe it as opportunity. Use a two-option intake system: either help them quickly and release, or send a Calendly link to schedule later. You stay in control and protect your time.
If you have a new inquiry and you immediately feel dread, you are either most likely getting ghosted a ton, which really sucks, or you are so overwhelmed and drowning in inquiries that you don't know what to do next. And I think either way, it's important that you learn to have a system that starts with excitement, not dread. It's so exciting that they're reaching out to you. And second, have an option to either help and release them or set send them to your Calendly link so that you control the next few moments of that interaction. Because at that point, then you're not actually working. You're just sending them options, 2 options, helper release or the Calendly to get on your appointment calendar. And if you can get them on your appointment calendar, you now have an appointment made and you know you don't have to work right now.
