Got this amusing email below. Warning: it's long-winded. It is from a 'business coach' that I have crossed paths with. She's quite religious (to each his/her own). I started distancing myself from her several weeks ago because I got tired of her patronizing manner.  (She means well but...) Anyhoo, I sent out an email to my professional contacts advising them that my contact info had changed (ie, I'm moving on from my current hell-hole.) She replied and attached a 2 page flier about her services. There were a number of spelling errors and the layout was difficult to read. I replied back with a positive comment about hard times forcing us to grow and made a couple of suggestions. (She claims to be a marketing guru but everything I've seen from her is, well, it leaves a lot of room for improvement...

Here's her email (with my commentary in parenthesis):

Thanks for the eagle eye and your gentle way of framing your feedback. I wasn’t expecting or asking you to take time out of your busy day to critique the info sheet, but thanks anyway. Most of this we’ve been using for 3 years, “warts” and all. I often get asked for the ad copy/bio writing help and it makes sense to monetize it, so that is new service level. (You get asked to help? You ARE kidding, right?)

Thank God for His provision (for the clients He brings me) since it’s obvious I’m FAR from perfect when it comes to ‘the outside packaging’ as you keep pointing out!! LOL (Um, okay.) Like most folks wearing many hats and up to their eyeballs in demands, I have to be mindful to think “Go for connection, not perfection.” If I obsess over having everything ‘perfect’, nothing gets out the door and into the marketplace. I find that is a common challenge with most of my clients, too. (If you claim to be a marketing expert, it IS a reflection of YOUR work.)

I guess God keeps me humble and compassionate this way. Yes, we keep editing/improving as we go, but much like life’s journey, it’s good to assume that most folks ARE doing the best they can, with what they’ve got, where they are. They might be beaten down, shredded, and worn-out, but by God, they’ve persevered and accomplished a major task, and are being brave enough to put themselves ‘out there.’ Often folks are just standing back up, still a bit weak, making shaking the dirt off, and yet are boldly taking steps to get to the next level.

I hope you can remember as you interact with other SOHOs, that most folks need us to pause to understand and affirm what they ARE doing right . . . life is pretty tough as it is; no point in being quick to point out the negatives, even if your heart is to help. (I started off with some positive feedback and just suggested correcting some things for greater impact. Hey, I charge over $100 an hr and you never paid me for working your trade show...)

Most folks are starving for acknowledgement of what they ARE doing, not wanting someone to point out what’s lacking. But certainly, you can affirm their efforts and then ask if they might mind some constructive comments as yours feedback often is.

Yep, as "yours feedback often is". LMAO