The Power of Saying No (and Knowing When To Say Yes)
For a myriad of reasons, professionals (present company included) have said yes when we should have said no or said no when we should have said yes. I do still make mistakes once in a while. However, I have worked hard, through some trial and error, to master the art of knowing when to say no and when to say yes. And, the benefits that accompany knowing whether to nod yes or shake the head no abound. So, let’s unpack the reasons we fall into these traps of saying yes when we should say no and vice versa, as well as explore some tips to getting it right. Are you ready? (This would be a good time to say yes!)
Boundary issues, the reason we say yes when it should be a no. In essence, a boundary is a limit defining you in relationship to someone or to something. As an employee, the boss may be the most likely person to ask you for something that you should say no to. Even as the boss you might find a client that asks for the impossible or an investor that wants more than you can provide. The truth is sometimes saying no is in your best interest as well as that of others around you (we’ll get into that more deeply in a sec).
Self-sabotage, a top reason we say no when we should be saying yes. Can you recall a time that you said no to something because you felt scared or intimidated by it? You might have found yourself thinking of many really good reasons not to take that risk, not to relocate, not to enter a new market, not to shine a light on your own accomplishments – all because it led you out of your comfort zone. While sometimes saying no is the correct alternative, other times it isn’t. Finding the balance between these two instances is the key to a healthy, happy and successful career/life! As it has been famously said, “Life begins outside of your comfort zone.”
Three Top Benefits of Knowing When to Say Yes (Or Not)
You’ll avoid burnout.
If you say yes to everything in the hopes of pleasing your boss, showing your work ethic or achieving success for your business without a concern for your own personal limits, you run the risk of burning out. Burn out is a real condition that can lead to mental health issues, hypertension, heart attacks and many other serious health problems. Overworking is one of the main culprits that lead to burnout. In a recent Gallup survey, it was reported that nearly two-thirds of the workers surveyed had dealt with burnout in their current position. Finding balance and saying no when it’s needed is a good way to combat burning out, which is bad for your health, your output and your career.
You’ll provide your best work.
The phrase “spreading yourself too thin” comes to mind when I think of the person who wants to be all things to everyone. It’s an easy trap to fall into, especially in times when the business is stressed or moving at a fast pace. Taking on too much can have the opposite effect, however, if nothing is done well or if key mistakes happen. I see this in my field often when a rush marketing project is pushed through without measurement tools put in place. (Sound familiar?)
You won’t miss out on the good stuff.
Of course, lifting the bottom line is the goal, but there are many ways to get there. The stories we tell may be harder to attribute to a conversion, but the brand cache they create can prove more valuable than a one-time sale. Share the stories of your experience, put the inner workings of your business on display and show the world where your passion lies. You might find they resonate more with this than a discount.
The power of knowing when to say yes or no is an art form that can takes years of trial and error to master. And, even when we think we’ve got it all figured out, a curve ball can also be pitched in our direction.
Xandra Marketing specializes in helping business leaders find the best opportunities and tap into their times to shine. When you’re ready to say yes to a partner that can help you grow on your path toward success, contact me to explore.
Say Yes to Connecting With Xandra Marketing!
