The Art of Saying "No"
In work with our business owner and executive clients, and my self-work, this muscle of saying “no” is of paramount importance – and one that must be exercised consistently. It is so incredibly easy to spread oneself too thin and leave no room to focus on what matters most (another lesson!).
But, saying "no" is hard because it feels like you're closing a door. But most doors lead nowhere, and if you try to walk through all of them, you won't get very far. The art of saying "no" is about choosing which doors to leave closed.
We often avoid saying "no" because we fear what others will think. It feels risky, like you're burning a bridge. But the reality is, saying "yes" to everything is riskier. This is true whether it’s turning down another “networking” meeting or whether you’re deciding to say no to a certain customer base.
Saying “yes” can easily spread you too thin and fills your life with things that don’t matter. The trick is to realize that saying "no" isn’t rejection—it’s focus.
The hardest part is deciding when to say it. It’s tempting to say "yes" to things that sound good in the moment, even if they don’t fit your goals. The solution is to decide what matters before you’re asked. If you know what’s important, the decision is easier when the time comes.
Another challenge is how to say it. A clear, polite "no" is almost always better than a vague excuse. People respect honesty more than they admit. And if they don’t, it’s a sign you were right to say no.
Lesson Learned: Saying "no" is a skill, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice. The first few times feel awkward, but soon you realize it’s not about turning things down—it’s about making space for what matters.