The Art of Saying No: Protecting Your Time and Energy

In this episode of "Get Over Your Shit," host Malinda Watt tackles a challenging but essential topic: "The Art of Saying No." By sharing her personal experiences and practical strategies, Malinda guides listeners in understanding the importance of setting boundaries as entrepreneurs and small business owners. 

Key Takeaways:

• Boundaries Matter: Setting boundaries protects your time, energy, and well-being, helping to sustain a joyful and productive business environment.
• Prioritize Goals: Saying no to tasks misaligned with personal or business objectives creates room for what truly matters.
• Challenge Societal Norms: Understand and overcome the societal and psychological pressures that make saying no difficult.
• Practice Strategies: Use clear, direct communication, and offer alternatives as helpful strategies to maintain relationships while saying no.
• Reflect and Realign: Regularly assess your commitments to ensure they align with your priorities and goals. 

"No is a yes to something that truly matters to you."

Additional Links & Resources:

• Stop letting content keep you stuck—jumpstart your website planning with clarity and confidence! Get your content organized in just a few hours: https://malindawatt.com/planner
• Try Siteground, my favorite website hosting company: Siteground.com
• Learn more about me and my work at malindawatt.com

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Get Over Your Sh!t! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. Share this with someone who needs a push to start taking action—because we’re all about moving forward together!

Hosted by Malinda Watt
Edited by Chris @ Wider View Studios
Music License purchased from stockmusic.com

Transcript

0:00:00 - (Malinda Watt): Hello and welcome to get over your Shit, the podcast dedicated to helping digital course creators, entrepreneurs, and small business owners stop overthinking and start executing. I'm Melinda Watt, your host and fellow overthinker, here to guide you through the maze of self-doubt and procrastination that keeps us from reaching our full potential. Today's episode is all about something that might feel a little uncomfortable, but it is absolutely essential.

0:00:28 - (Malinda Watt): The Art of Saying no. If you're anything like me, you've probably felt that urge to say yes to every opportunity, every client request, every collaboration. It's natural to want to be helpful and make the most out of every chance that comes your way. But here's the truth. Protecting your time and energy is non-negotiable if you want to build a sustainable, fulfilling business. Saying no doesn't mean that you're missing out or letting people down.

0:01:00 - (Malinda Watt): It means you're honoring your boundaries, maintaining your focus, and creating the space you need to thrive. Today we're going to talk about why saying no is so important, the common challenges that make it tough, and how you can start doing it without feeling guilty. So, let's settle in, take a deep breath, and dive into this essential skill. Before we get into the how let's talk about what boundaries really mean and why they matter so much.

0:01:31 - (Malinda Watt): Boundaries are simply the limits you set to protect your time, energy, and well-being. As entrepreneurs, we often feel like we need to be available to everyone all the time, whether that's for clients, potential partners, or even friends and family. But without clear boundaries, it's so easy to end up feeling overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and even resentful towards the work you once loved. Here's the thing.

0:01:59 - (Malinda Watt): Every time you say yes to something that doesn't align with your goals, you're saying no to something that does. I'm going to say that again. Every time you say yes to something that doesn't align with your goals, you're saying no to something that does. Over-committing leads to increased stress, decreased productivity, and a loss of joy in your work. And this isn't just about protecting your time.

0:02:27 - (Malinda Watt): It's about safeguarding your energy. Your energy is a finite resource, and if you're constantly depleting it by saying yes to things that don't serve you, you don't have the capacity to focus on what truly matters. So, learning to say no is a powerful way to take care of yourself, your business, and your future. Now, let's be real. Knowing we need to say no doesn't make it easy. So why Is it so hard?

0:02:59 - (Malinda Watt): A lot of it comes down to psychological and social pressures. We've been taught that saying yes is a sign of being cooperative, helpful and successful. It's easy to feel that if we say no, we're letting people down or missing out on something important. Then there's the fear of disappointing others. Oh, this one resonates with me so much. As empathetic people, we don't want to cause disappointment, seem rude, or risk damaging relationships. We also worry that if we say no, we'll miss out on future opportunities, or worse, people will stop asking altogether.

0:03:37 - (Malinda Watt): And, of course, there's FOMO, the fear of missing out. We're afraid that if we pass on an opportunity, it could have been the big one that would change everything. But here's a gentle reminder. Saying yes to everything often dilutes your efforts, and trying to be everywhere for everyone usually means you're not truly present for anything. Recognizing these pressures is the first step in understanding why setting boundaries is so essential and how you can start to overcome these challenges.

05:50:20 - (Malinda Watt): All right, let's move on to the practical part. How can you start saying no without feeling guilty? Here are three strategies that have been really helpful for me, and I think you'll find them useful too. The first strategy is to be clear and direct.

0:06:04 - (Malinda Watt): You don't need to over-explain or apologize. A simple, respectful no can be powerful. For example, try saying thank you for thinking of me, but I'm unable to take this on right now. It's honest, polite and leaves no room for misunderstanding. By being clear and direct, you set a respectful tone and show that you value your own time and commitments. If saying no still feels a bit uncomfortable, consider offering alternatives. For instance, if a client asks for extra work that you can't accommodate, you might say, I'm unable to take this on at the moment, but I'd be happy to refer you to someone who can.

0:06:45 - (Malinda Watt): This way, you're maintaining the relationship and providing value without over-committing yourself. This approach allows you to honor your boundaries while still being helpful and supportive, which can ease the discomfort of saying no. Lastly, prioritize your goals. When you're faced with a decision, ask yourself, does this align with my personal or business objectives? If the answer is no, it's easier to decline because you're making decisions based on your long-term vision.

0:07:18 - (Malinda Watt): Remember, every time you say no to something that isn't a priority, you're making space for the things that truly matter, and that's where your energy should be going. Let's take this a step further with a couple of practical exercises to help you build your confidence in saying no. Create a simple no script that you can tweak and use in different situations. For example, thank you for the opportunity, but I'm currently focused on other priorities.

0:07:46 - (Malinda Watt): Practice saying it out loud a few times so that when the moment comes, it feels natural and confident. The more you practice, the more comfortable it will become. Another exercise is to reflect on your priorities. Write down the top three things that matter most to you in your business and personal life for one week. Track how many requests you say yes to that don't align with those priorities. This will help you see where your time is being spent and identify areas where you might need to set stronger boundaries.

0:08:17 - (Malinda Watt): At the end of the week, review your list and think about how saying no could have helped you protect your time and energy for what really matters. It's an eye-opening exercise that can change the way you approach your commitments. So there you have it. The art of saying no is about much more than just protecting your schedule. It's about safeguarding your energy, your well-being, and ultimately your success.

0:08:43 - (Malinda Watt): To recap, setting boundaries is essential for avoiding burnout and staying focused on what truly matters. Yes, it can be challenging due to social and psychological pressures, but with the right strategies, being clear and direct, offering alternatives, and prioritizing your goals, you can say no with confidence and without guilt. I encourage you to start small. Practice saying no in situations that don't align with your priorities, and notice how it creates more space and clarity in your life.

0:09:15 - (Malinda Watt): Remember, no is a yes to something that truly matters to you. And that's not just okay; it's essential. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of get over your Shit. If you found this helpful, be sure to subscribe, Share Share this episode with a fellow overthinker, and leave a review. Your feedback helps the podcast grow and reach more people who need to hear this message. Until next time, remember, progress over perfection.

0:09:41 - (Malinda Watt): You've got this.