Whether you’re self employed or working for a company, we all face the same issue of time. We only have so much of it each day after all. Between our personal lives and our workloads, sometimes it slips through our fingers.
Deciding which projects should get our attention, or organizing with partners which household tasks are at the top of the to do list, sucks up our energy and our time. We can spend so much of our time simply organizing our schedule that we’re exhausted before we even get to the work that needs doing!
That’s why saying ‘no’ is a smart business decision. Sometimes, there isn’t enough time for everything. Sometimes, you’re best served by opting out, rather than trying to squeeze it in.
When You Might Say ‘No’
Decision fatigue is a very real concern in today’s world. We are presented with so much content and so many things to claim our attention. There are more opportunities than ever before for so many parts of the population thanks to the internet, but it comes with more decisions and effort than ever before.
Saying no is a great way to reserve your time and your energy for business decisions. No also allows you to focus on the things that truly matter to you. If you are leading a big project at work that’s taking up more of your time than usual, you might say no to being the parent volunteer coordinator for your child’s school play.
Saying no protects your time, so that you can create better products on the work front.
It protects your energy, so you can make better big picture business decisions.
Saying no establishes boundaries between you as a business person and you as a person, which is a healthy boundary to have.
Say no to people and projects that will be a drain on your personal resources. Say no to things that require you to spend time on things that you don’t enjoy. Focus your energy on building a life you truly love by saying yes to things that matter, and no to things that don’t.
Final Thoughts
Oprah is quoted as saying ‘No is a complete sentence,’ a phrase that I personally love. It means that you can just say ‘no’ and not have to even justify the answer. ‘No’ is a tool in your personal and professional toolbox. There’s no harm in using it to help you make good business decisions. Setting boundaries for your work and your personal life is a healthy choice for everyone. And it’s one that will ultimately lead you to a life that you will have filled with things you said ‘yes’ to.
