Ever since reading an inspiring post on leadership by Luke Landes, I’ve been trying to say “yes” more to the kinds of projects I truly want to be involved in — even if it means I might not get paid.
I’m trying to move beyond a completely mercenary mindset in my life and with my career, and focus on things that are fulfilling to me, as well as projects that might be useful to others in the community.
However, as much as I would like to say yes, the reality (as Luke points out) is that sometimes you have no choice but to say no. The key is figuring out when to say yes, and when to say no. You need to look at where you stand, and then decide when it makes sense for you to say no.
Sometimes, You Say No For Now — But Yes For Later
Right now, I’m in the midst of a number of life upheavals. I’ve got a lot going on right now, what with helping to plan the Plutus Awards and participating on a panel at FinCon. And, of course, I love working on the Money Mastermind Show, and I’m excited about a joint podcast venture with another group of bloggers.
But right while this is happening (and I still need to complete client work, mind you, because it’s nice to buy food), we’re packing up and moving across the country. There’s a house to sell, housing to secure on the other side, services to change, and numerous other items to take care of. It’s been almost a decade since I’ve had to complete a cross-country move, and it’s a lot more work than I remember it being.
So, even though I’d like to say yes a little more right now, I’ve had to say no. But, for projects I’m interested in, and that I think have real potential for the future, I don’t want the fact that I’ve reached my limit to slam the door.
I’m saying no for now, but making it clear that later — like October, after FinCon is over and I’ve caught my breath — I’m willing to revisit the project/partnership/whatever and possibly say yes.
Saying no doesn’t have to be a permanent decision; if it’s something you think is worthwhile and that has potential, you might need to put it on the shelf for a little bit.
When to Say No FOR REALS
Of course, just because there are some projects that you want to revisit, it doesn’t mean that you can’t say no for reals to some things. Since I am at my limit, and since my future is starting to fill up with interesting opportunities, there are some things that I will have to pass up.
You can’t get so bogged down that you:
- begin to see a breakdown in your health.
- feel stressed and frazzled all the time.
- don’t feel good about what you’re doing because you just don’t have time to turn out good results.
- lose sight of important people in your life, particularly your closest family members.
While it’s nice to be busy, it’s important to find a balance. At some point, you might be doing so much that you’re really just spinning your wheels. Overcommitting doesn’t help anyone. It results in less-than-stellar work, and it burns you out, making you useless for anything else.
Take a step back and identify the projects most important to you. What will allow you to make a positive impact? What will allow you to better reach your goals and grow as a person? Rather than spreading your focus too thin, concentrate on the projects and possibilities that are likely to yield the most desirable results — whatever those results might be.
Then, say no to everything else.