Have you ever noticed how many times a week you say \u201cyes\u201d to a person or project\u2013 only to end up regretting your decision? \u00a0Of those commitments, how many were actually in line with your business priorities?<\/p>\n
If you lack standards or fear rejection, it can come at a high cost: missed milestones, losing clients, physical exhaustion, irritability, and stress.<\/p>\n
When your default setting is to reply \u201cyes\u201d to each and every request that comes across your plate, it\u2019s the same as relinquishing your focus, which only pushes you further away from your goals. As an entrepreneur, you simply can\u2019t afford that.<\/p>\n
Ready to learn how to protect your time and energy? Here are three typical business scenarios with tips on how you can respond:<\/p>\n
When you\u2019re confronted by a pushy prospect who tries to wheedle free information or work from you, it\u2019s your job to instruct the client on how they can pay<\/i> to work with you. The next time someone tries to solicit your expert advice, insist on setting up a formal consultation to lay out a work plan and to determine whether it would be a good fit to work together. If you don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to work out, say so and end the meeting on a friendly note. If you’d like to stay connected, share a few high-quality resources to help them, such as books, blogs, or courses.\u00a0The prospect will respect you for your honesty and assistance. There\u2019s nothing to lose other than a \u201ctire kicker\u201d who never intended to become your client in the first place.<\/p>\nScenario #2: The Scope Creeper<\/h3>\n
This is a client who wants to slip in a few extra tweaks to the project \u2013 after <\/i>he\u2019s signed-off on the proposal. This person tends to make repeated, onerous requests that threaten to derail the project\u2019s schedule (and your sanity). In those cases, it’s better to be firm and upfront in the preliminary meeting and set boundaries for \u201cad-hoc\u201d requests even before the requests come in. Let the client know your policy on any post-project sign-off change requests (rejection, subject to cost and time penalties, etc.). So when the requests come in, you can refer to the earlier meeting when you both set clear expectations.<\/p>\nScenario #3: The Dead-End Meeting<\/h3>\n
Saying “yes” to extraneous meetings not only leads to calendar clutter, but it can be huge time sucks that will leave you feeling mentally wiped and annoyed. Before committing to anything, ask yourself: In what measurable ways will this meeting move the project forward? When a meeting request hits your inbox, try replying with:<\/p>\n
Thank<\/em> you so much for thinking of me. Let me check my schedule and get back to you!<\/i><\/p>\n This script gives you a chance to take a pause and consult your schedule. Weigh the cost and benefits of the meeting and then get back to the requestor with a confident answer. If you find that saying \u201cno\u201d is too difficult or if you\u2019re curious about the meeting, ask for more information before you commit. This will help you gauge whether the meeting is necessary or relevant to your project. And if you agree to meet, set a firm time limit for the session.<\/p>\n Saying \u201cno\u201d is a gift you give yourself. Not only does it help reduce calendar chaos and anxiety, it will make you available \u2013 both physically and mentally \u2013 for the things that are really vital to your business. This action serves almost like a business armor, protecting your bottom line and your most important resource: time.<\/p>\n The ability to say \u201cno\u201d isn\u2019t something they teach in any MBA program, but over time, you\u2019ll find that it can be your most valuable asset as an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Have you ever noticed how many times a week you say \u201cyes\u201d to a person or project\u2013 only to end up regretting your decision? \u00a0Of those commitments, how many were actually in line with your business priorities? If you lack standards or fear rejection, it can come at a high cost: missed milestones, losing clients, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":6402,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43902],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSaying \u201cNo\u201d is a Gift You Give Yourself<\/h3>\n