As others pointed out, I think we can shift back and forth depending on what's happening at the time. I would say I am solidly selective while knocking on referral heaven's pearly gates. 🙂

I feel I hit the solidly selective last year. I tripped over it a time or two before that, but had it down pat last year.

Again, great post, Jake.

I'm discovering a need to be more business-like which is something I've had some resistance to for many years and am now finding exciting.

Krista, doesn't regression stink? But as Jake says, you're seeing it, so that in itself is progress. And that conscious competence is great – it beats the conscious incompetence I see around the 'net. I strive to be unconsciously competent as well as self-actualized. I have big dreams. 🙂

Paula, you have many personalities. LOL Weren't you posting as your dog last week? 🙂 It's tough not to be in "Business First" mode when the checks aren't coming and none are expected.

I bounce between Business First and Selective quite often. When work slows down (like now, for instance) I slip back to Business First, spending more time on marketing while squeezing in what I call filler work – the kinds of assignments I'd normally pass on when in the Selective mode. Maybe they pay slightly less than I like, or they might be on boring topics.

Devon makes an excellent point about initiative, sustained motivation and strategy. You can rest comfortably Clueless…and reap exactly what you've sown…or you can take on the difficult but rewarding steps to make a valid biz of it.

Ronda, nothing like a bankrupt client (I think I've had 5 or 6 through the recession) for a reality check, eh? But, it sounds like you've turned it into a positive–nice.

That's almost exactly my mindset, Lori. I'm pretty well in RH but take nothing for granted. You've illustrated another hallmark of the three top stages–they are not static and you can't *ignore* what you did to get you there.

Krista, what you're describing is Maslow's classic "conscious competence." A few years ago, you wouldn't have even recognized that tendency to backslide, or you would have accepted it as "part of the business." It's not, and you're now armed with that knowledge.