In this case I was working with two married counselors to help them expand their practices. Even though they'd been successful for many years, business was tapering off and they needed to re-ignite it. As one candidate once told me, "If you don't sell, something terrible happens . . . nothing!"

I was having trouble reaching Susan and Mark and wondered if they were ill, or if they wanted to meet less often, or stop meeting altogether. I've learned that sometimes clients have had enough, but can't tell me that directly.

The purpose of this email was to learn the status. As it turned out, Mark continued with me for a few months, and Susan bowed out. This was perfect timing and we've been close friends ever since.

By the way, I learned the phrase to "take a pause in our work" from one of my other clients. He wrote, "Bill, I'd like to take a pause in our work with the option of returning for further help." This is nice language, much better than "I'm quitting" or "I don't need your services anymore."