July 2017: Just Say “No”

Famous billionaire US investor Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything.”

It’s easy for us as professionals and entrepreneurs to take on any project, assignment or opportunity that comes our way, because it could be THE thing that makes us insta-successful, catapults our career or gets us closer to our goal. We often find ourselves overcommitted and overwhelmed, so why not just say ‘no’?

Ask yourself these three questions before committing to the next opportunity that arises:

1. Does this request align with my brand?
Often times we feel we’ll miss out on an opportunity to grow or develop a relationship if we turn down a request, even if it’s something we’re not passionate about or doesn’t align with our core values. If saying ‘yes’ to a project or request doesn’t mesh with your brand, it may be worth reconsidering.

2. What will I need to give up?
If by saying ‘yes’, will you need to sacrifice your time, energy, resources or beliefs? Chances are you’re already giving up a few of the aforementioned already, but if taking on extra responsibility causes you to reach an unhealthy work-life balance, it’s probably not worth the added stress.

3. How will this affect my ROI?
We as dietitians tend to be people pleasers and perfectionists, sometimes lending our services because it’s the ‘nice’ thing to do even though our time is worth more than what’s being offered. Before saying ‘yes’, consider how the request will affect your bottom line and don’t be afraid to shell out a counter offer or suggest a compromise.

By saying ‘no’ to certain opportunities, we become more available for the right ones when they come along. How do you flex your ‘no’ muscle?

Erin Hendrickson, RDN NE PR and Marketing Coordinator