The Magic of Saying No

Saying no can be very difficult, but the penalties for not saying no are even greater. If you say yes to everything others ask of you, you’ll quickly have no time for the things that are important to you. Plus, you’ll experience stress, fatigue, pressure, missed deadlines, and more.

There are hidden benefits of saying no. For example, I frequently say no to new potential clients during my busy periods. As they start describing their project to me, I stop them by saying: “I’d be delighted to talk with you about this project. However, since I don’t want to waste your time, you should know that I’m booked through the end of March. If you can delay it ‘til then, I’d be happy to work with you. Otherwise, I’ll have to pass.”

Most prospects are impressed – or even amazed – by my response.

Why?

Because turning down work creates the immediate (correct) impression that you’re in-demand, and therefore, excellent in your field. In fact, this often creates an even
stronger desire to work with you!

Many people will call you back later and say: “You said I should call you back in March. I have another project. Can you work with me now?” A different way of
looking at this is that by respecting yourself and your time, you enhance your business and your value.

Bob Bly