How to Stay in Control When Client Keeps Changing Priorities

Freelancing offers flexibility and independence, but it also comes with unexpected challenges—especially when it comes to managing scope creep, demanding clients, and shifting priorities.

In this episode of the Freelance Sucks podcast, we talked with Jeremy Coffey, a freelance project leader since 2019, about their insights on staying in control, avoiding constant pivots, and ensuring clients respect your work and time.

From this episode, you'll learn:

✅ How to stop scope creep before it drains your time and energy.
✅ The best way to push back when clients change priorities.
✅ Why tracking your hours is crucial (and how to do it effectively).
✅ How to manage professional loneliness as a freelancer.
✅ A smart approach to client negotiations that protects your work.

Watch now and take control of your freelance journey! 🚀

🎧  Or listen to it here on Spotify

Why managing scope is essential to freelancing success

Scope creep—when clients add extra tasks beyond the original agreement—can derail your productivity, increase stress, and lower your income.

Many freelancers struggle to maintain control over their workload because:

🔹 Clients expect them to be flexible but don’t respect project boundaries.
🔹 Priorities shift suddenly, leading to wasted effort and frustration.
🔹 Small tasks pile up, turning into unpaid extra work.
🔹 They fear pushing back might cost them the client.

However, setting boundaries and learning to manage client expectations is key to long-term freelance success.

Here’s how to stay in control and ensure your work stays on track, profitable, and fulfilling.

1. How to prevent scope creep before it happens

Scope creep is one of the biggest productivity killers for freelancers. It starts small—an extra meeting here, a quick revision there—but can quickly snowball into unpaid, unplanned work.

How to set boundaries from the start:

✅ Document everything – Have a clear scope of work (SOW) that outlines deliverables, timelines, and what’s NOT included.
✅ Communicate early – If a client suggests additional tasks, acknowledge their request but remind them of the agreed-upon scope.
✅ Charge for extras – If a client wants changes, respond with: "I’d be happy to add that in. Here’s what it will cost."
✅ Use the ‘Yes, and…’ technique – Instead of saying, "That’s out of scope," say, "Yes, and we can discuss how to fit that into the timeline and budget."

📌 Pro tip: When a client brings up new requests mid-project, pause and redirect the conversation. This helps prevent on-the-spot commitments that can lead to unpaid work.

2. What to do when clients constantly change priorities

Freelancers often work with founders, CEOs, and managers who change direction frequently, making it difficult to focus on clear objectives.

Instead of feeling frustrated, stay in control by:

✅ Tying every request back to value – Ask: "How does this align with our main goal?" This helps clients reconsider impulsive changes.
✅ Keeping detailed records – Maintain written summaries of meetings so you can refer back to agreed priorities.
✅ Offering structured options – If a client insists on shifting focus, provide two options: one that sticks to the original plan and one that includes changes with adjusted timelines and pricing.
✅ Recognizing when to walk away – If a client constantly ignores scope, it may not be a sustainable project.

📌 Pro tip: The best freelancers don’t just accept changes—they strategically guide clients toward decisions that make sense.

3. Why time tracking matters (even if you hate it)

Many freelancers struggle with tracking hours, leading to lost income and burnout.

Our guest admitted that reconstructing billable hours at the end of the month felt like quicksand. If you’re not tracking what you work on and for how long, you might be undercharging for your time.

How to simplify time tracking:

✅ Use tracking tools – Apps like Toggl, Clockify, or Harvest help automate the process.
✅ Log hours in real-time – Instead of reconstructing your hours later, track them as you work.
✅ Batch admin work – Dedicate one specific time each week to log hours, invoice clients, and review your finances.
✅ Bill per project, not per hour – If you hate time tracking, consider switching to value-based pricing instead of hourly rates.

📌 Pro tip: If a client tries to dispute your hours, having a detailed log of your work makes it much easier to defend your billing.

4. How to deal with professional loneliness as a freelancer

Freelancing can feel isolating, especially when working remotely. Our guest shared how lockdowns made them realize how much they relied on in-person interactions to communicate effectively.

To combat loneliness and stay motivated:

✅ Join freelance communities – Platforms like 9am.works, CodeControl, Slack groups, and LinkedIn communities help freelancers connect.
✅ Schedule co-working sessions – Even virtual co-working calls with fellow freelancers can boost motivation.
✅ Go beyond just work talk – Reach out to other freelancers, not just for networking but for real conversations.
✅ Attend industry events – Conferences, meetups, and webinars can help you feel less isolated.

📌 Pro tip: The best way to stay sane as a freelancer is to surround yourself with like-minded people who understand your struggles.

5. The smartest way to negotiate with clients (without losing them)

Negotiating rates, contracts, and scope can feel nerve-wracking, especially when you rely on a client for steady work.

However, freelancers who fail to negotiate often end up overworked, underpaid, and resentful.

Here’s how to negotiate with confidence:

✅ Know your worth – Research market rates and price your work based on value, not just hours.
✅ Frame everything as a win-win – Instead of saying "I can’t do that for this price," say "To meet that request, we’d need to adjust the budget."
✅ Be willing to walk away – Clients who don’t respect your rates from the start usually aren’t worth the struggle.
✅ Reframe ‘freelancer’ as ‘business owner’ – Clients take you more seriously when you position yourself as an expert rather than a worker-for-hire.

📌 Pro tip: Always send contracts outlining the exact scope, timeline, and payment terms to avoid misunderstandings later.

TL;DR

Freelancing isn’t just about doing great work—it’s about setting boundaries, managing clients, and protecting your time and income.

✅ Prevent scope creep by documenting agreements and setting clear boundaries.
✅ Push back on shifting priorities by turning every request to business value.
✅ Track your time or switch to value-based pricing to avoid lost income.
✅ Combat professional loneliness by joining freelance communities and networking.
✅ Negotiate with confidence—clients respect freelancers who know their worth.

Freelancing isn’t always easy, but with the right strategies, you can take control, earn more, and work on your own terms.

Quotes from this episode

1️⃣ “Freelancers are expected to be flexible, but that doesn’t mean letting clients redefine your job every week.”

2️⃣ “Scope creep isn’t just annoying—it’s the fastest way to burnout. Set boundaries early, or you’ll be stuck running in circles.”

3️⃣ “Freelancing is great until your contract renewal is up. The uncertainty never really goes away, you just learn to manage it.”

4️⃣ “Loneliness is real in freelancing. If you don’t build a community, you’ll end up feeling like an outsider in every project you take.”

5️⃣ “Clients will always shift priorities—but before you pivot, ask: is this really worth changing everything for?”

🚀 Want more freelance insights? Listen to the full episode now!