The Art of Making Decisions

Decisions—especially the big ones—can often feel overwhelming. When faced with a choice that could have a significant impact, it’s tempting to rush, particularly if you’re presented with a sense of urgency. But I’ve learned through experience that the best approach is to pause, take a breath, and say, “Let me give that some thought. I’ll get back to you.” This simple phrase doesn’t just buy you time—it gives you space to think more deeply, to assess the situation, and to avoid a hasty choice that could lead to regret.

Not too long ago, I found myself in a situation where I had to make a decision on a service for my website.

I had hired someone through Fiverr, and they suddenly created an “emergency” that didn’t really exist. The freelancer told me I needed to make a decision immediately because they had other clients waiting. This sort of pressure is a red flag. In my experience, when someone pushes you into a decision like this, it’s usually a psychological trick to get you to act without thinking. They want you to feel like you’re running out of time. But in reality, I’ve found that it’s always worth taking a step back.

Protecting Your Business

It’s easy to assume that just because a freelancer is good at their job, you can trust them with full access to your site. But that’s a mistake I’ve made, and it’s one I’ve learned to never repeat. When you give someone administrative access to your website, you’re handing over control. You trust them to make changes, but the risks are far greater than most people realize. I learned the hard way that giving someone this level of control is like handing over your debit card and PIN, hoping they’ll only take out what they say they will.

A freelancer may be helpful at first, but you can’t predict what they might do once they have full access. They could steal your affiliate income, alter traffic data, or even place malware on your site. That’s not the kind of risk I’m willing to take. From then on, I made a rule: I’ll never give administrative access to anyone I don’t know and trust completely. If they can’t fix the problem as an editor or give me clear instructions on what to do, I move on. If they’re unwilling to guide me through the solution via video call, that’s an even bigger red flag.

The Dangers of Being Upsold

I’ve also learned to be cautious when it comes to upsells—those “additional services” freelancers sometimes offer after you’ve already hired them. Not long ago, I hired a freelancer to work on my website, and everything seemed fine until they suggested something I hadn’t asked for. They told me that if I paid an extra 15% of my monthly earnings, they could set up something that would potentially boost my profits. I didn’t have time to research this proposal, but I could sense something wasn’t right.

In the end, I saw my affiliate income plummet after they made the changes. I immediately reversed everything, but the damage had been done. I realized that not only was the upsell a bad idea, but I had also unknowingly allowed someone to tamper with my site in ways I couldn’t foresee. From that point forward, I was adamant about not allowing anyone to upsell me on services I hadn’t requested, and I made sure to leave an honest review, warning others about my experience. It was frustrating, but I knew it was important to speak up so others wouldn’t fall into the same trap.

The Power of Research and Negotiation

One thing I’ve always believed in when hiring someone is to never blindly trust reviews. Even if a freelancer has a stellar record, I still take the time to dig deeper. Some people, when they’re unhappy with a service, don’t leave a review out of frustration, and that’s something many freelancers count on. But for me, I always look beyond the surface. If someone can’t deliver on their promises, I’m not afraid to call them out on it.

Another lesson I’ve learned over the years is the importance of negotiation. Never take the first price you’re quoted—always ask for a discount.

It’s something I’ve done consistently, and it’s saved me a lot of money. Freelancers, just like anyone else, expect some level of negotiation. And if they refuse to negotiate or provide a clear explanation of their pricing, I move on. Time is far more valuable than money. If a freelancer tells me a task will take three days but it only takes a few hours, that’s a waste of my time and their time.

The Importance of Accountability

If a freelancer fails to deliver, I don’t hesitate to leave honest feedback. I believe in accountability. If someone is dishonest or doesn’t follow through on their commitments, I make sure to report it to Fiverr and leave a transparent review. That’s the only way we can hold people accountable for their actions. A freelancer who doesn’t do what they say they will not only wastes your time but also costs you money, and I don’t think that should be tolerated. By sharing my experience, I help prevent others from going through the same frustration.

Video Calls: A Non-Negotiable

Another thing I never compromise on is requiring a video call, especially if the task at hand is crucial. If a freelancer is unwilling to turn on their camera, that’s a major red flag. I want to see the person I’m working with. If they can’t show their face, it makes me suspicious. I’ve had too many freelancers tell me their cameras are “broken” or “not working.” I don’t buy it. If you’re doing professional work, a video call should be an option, not an excuse.

Conclusion: Trust Your Instincts

In the end, it all comes down to trusting your instincts and protecting your business. The lessons I’ve learned on Fiverr have shaped how I hire freelancers moving forward. Time is invaluable, and I refuse to waste it on people who aren’t up to the task. Trust is something that has to be earned, and when I hire someone, I need to be confident they can do the job well. If they can’t, I’m not afraid to let them know—and to share that experience with others so they don’t make the same mistakes.

Freelancers can be incredibly helpful, but not everyone has your best interests at heart. By being cautious, doing your research, and holding people accountable, you can avoid the pitfalls and protect both your business and your peace of mind.

The Art of Making Decisions

Decisions—especially the big ones—can often feel overwhelming. When faced with a choice that could have a significant impact, it’s tempting to rush, particularly if you’re presented with a sense of urgency. But I’ve learned through experience that the best approach is to pause, take a breath, and say, “Let me give that some thought. I’ll get back to you.” This simple phrase doesn’t just buy you time—it gives you space to think more deeply, to assess the situation, and to avoid a hasty choice that could lead to regret.

Not too long ago, I found myself in a situation where I had to make a decision on a service for my website. I had hired someone through Fiverr, and they suddenly created an “emergency” that didn’t really exist. The freelancer told me I needed to make a decision immediately because they had other clients waiting. This sort of pressure is a red flag. In my experience, when someone pushes you into a decision like this, it’s usually a psychological trick to get you to act without thinking. They want you to feel like you’re running out of time. But in reality, I’ve found that it’s always worth taking a step back.

Protecting Your Business

It’s easy to assume that just because a freelancer is good at their job, you can trust them with full access to your site. But that’s a mistake I’ve made, and it’s one I’ve learned to never repeat. When you give someone administrative access to your website, you’re handing over control. You trust them to make changes, but the risks are far greater than most people realize. I learned the hard way that giving someone this level of control is like handing over your debit card and PIN, hoping they’ll only take out what they say they will.

A freelancer may be helpful at first, but you can’t predict what they might do once they have full access. They could steal your affiliate income, alter traffic data, or even place malware on your site. That’s not the kind of risk I’m willing to take. From then on, I made a rule: I’ll never give administrative access to anyone I don’t know and trust completely. If they can’t fix the problem as an editor or give me clear instructions on what to do, I move on. If they’re unwilling to guide me through the solution via video call, that’s an even bigger red flag.

The Dangers of Being Upsold

I’ve also learned to be cautious when it comes to upsells—those “additional services” freelancers sometimes offer after you’ve already hired them. Not long ago, I hired a freelancer to work on my website, and everything seemed fine until they suggested something I hadn’t asked for. They told me that if I paid an extra 15% of my monthly earnings, they could set up something that would potentially boost my profits. I didn’t have time to research this proposal, but I could sense something wasn’t right.

In the end, I saw my affiliate income plummet after they made the changes. I immediately reversed everything, but the damage had been done. I realized that not only was the upsell a bad idea, but I had also unknowingly allowed someone to tamper with my site in ways I couldn’t foresee. From that point forward, I was adamant about not allowing anyone to upsell me on services I hadn’t requested, and I made sure to leave an honest review, warning others about my experience. It was frustrating, but I knew it was important to speak up so others wouldn’t fall into the same trap.

The Power of Research and Negotiation

One thing I’ve always believed in when hiring someone is to never blindly trust reviews. Even if a freelancer has a stellar record, I still take the time to dig deeper. Some people, when they’re unhappy with a service, don’t leave a review out of frustration, and that’s something many freelancers count on. But for me, I always look beyond the surface. If someone can’t deliver on their promises, I’m not afraid to call them out on it.

Another lesson I’ve learned over the years is the importance of negotiation. Never take the first price you’re quoted—always ask for a discount. It’s something I’ve done consistently, and it’s saved me a lot of money. Freelancers, just like anyone else, expect some level of negotiation. And if they refuse to negotiate or provide a clear explanation of their pricing, I move on. Time is far more valuable than money. If a freelancer tells me a task will take three days but it only takes a few hours, that’s a waste of my time and their time.

The Importance of Accountability

If a freelancer fails to deliver, I don’t hesitate to leave honest feedback. I believe in accountability. If someone is dishonest or doesn’t follow through on their commitments, I make sure to report it to Fiverr and leave a transparent review. That’s the only way we can hold people accountable for their actions. A freelancer who doesn’t do what they say they will not only wastes your time but also costs you money, and I don’t think that should be tolerated. By sharing my experience, I help prevent others from going through the same frustration.

Video Calls: A Non-Negotiable

Another thing I never compromise on is requiring a video call, especially if the task at hand is crucial. If a freelancer is unwilling to turn on their camera, that’s a major red flag. I want to see the person I’m working with. If they can’t show their face, it makes me suspicious. I’ve had too many freelancers tell me their cameras are “broken” or “not working.” I don’t buy it. If you’re doing professional work, a video call should be an option, not an excuse.

Conclusion: Trust Your Instincts

In the end, it all comes down to trusting your instincts and protecting your business. The lessons I’ve learned on Fiverr have shaped how I hire freelancers moving forward. Time is invaluable, and I refuse to waste it on people who aren’t up to the task. Trust is something that has to be earned, and when I hire someone, I need to be confident they can do the job well. If they can’t, I’m not afraid to let them know—and to share that experience with others so they don’t make the same mistakes.

Freelancers can be incredibly helpful, but not everyone has your best interests at heart. By being cautious, doing your research, and holding people accountable, you can avoid the pitfalls and protect both your business and your peace of mind.