🎙️52. The Power Of Saying No: The Power of Saying No: How to Focus Your Energy and Achieve Success

In this episode of Fearless Thinking, host Michael Devous delves into the counterintuitive power of saying "no" in entrepreneurship. Drawing from his own experiences of overcommitment and burnout, Michael explores the pitfalls of saying yes to every opportunity and how it can hinder focus, drain energy, and sabotage success. He shares practical tips on setting boundaries, prioritizing goals, and embracing essentialism to make strategic decisions about where to invest your valuable time and energy. Michael also introduces The Ascend Hub, a community that empowers entrepreneurs to focus on their core values and achieve greater success by learning the art of saying no.

Key Highlights:

• The Pitfalls of Saying Yes: Michael discusses the negative consequences of overcommitment, including loss of focus, burnout, diluted efforts, and missed opportunities.
• The Art of Saying No: He offers practical tips on how to politely decline requests and opportunities that don't align with your goals, emphasizing the importance of honesty, directness, and setting clear boundaries.
• The Opportunity Cost: Michael explains the concept of opportunity cost and how every "yes" comes at the expense of another choice.
• The Ascend Hub: He introduces The Ascend Hub as a community that provides resources and support for entrepreneurs to develop essentialism and make strategic decisions.
• The Power of Focus: Michael emphasizes the importance of focusing on your niche and prioritizing the most impactful activities for your business.
• Embracing Essentialism: He discusses the philosophy of essentialism – doing less, but better – and how it can lead to greater productivity, reduced stress, and increased impact.

Impactful Quotes:

• "Saying yes to everything is essentially saying no to our own opportunities."
• "The art of saying no is about being strategic and intentional with your time and energy."
• "Every 'yes' comes at the cost of another choice."
• "The Ascend Hub will help you develop the skills and mindset you need to become an essentialist entrepreneur."
• "Less is more."

Key Takeaways:

• Saying no is a crucial skill for entrepreneurial success.
• Overcommitment can lead to burnout, overwhelm, and a lack of focus.
• Prioritizing your goals and setting boundaries are essential for achieving success.
• Embracing essentialism allows you to focus on what truly matters and make a greater impact.
• The Ascend Hub provides resources and support for entrepreneurs to develop the art of saying no.

 Important Links:

The Art of Saying No: https://a.co/d/af8BhPX
YouTube: https://bit.ly/FearlessThinkingYTChannel
https://theascendhub.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldevousjr/

Transcript

1

00:00:09,476 --> 00:00:10,110

Hey there everybody.

2

00:00:10,410 --> 00:00:14,280

And welcome to Fearless Thinking, a 
 podcast designed to help you navigate

3

00:00:14,581 --> 00:00:16,816

authentic leadership and the 
 entrepreneurial journey.

4

00:00:17,50 --> 00:00:18,284

I'm your host, Michael Devous

5

00:00:18,518 --> 00:00:21,154

And these are my thoughts, lessons and 
 insights from my entrepreneurial

6

00:00:21,788 --> 00:00:25,458

journey into coaching workshops, 
 motivational speaking, and of course,

7

00:00:25,558 --> 00:00:28,828

what I picked up from interviews with 
 inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs

8

00:00:29,529 --> 00:00:30,397

along the way.

9

00:00:31,131 --> 00:00:36,36

My mission is to help people unlock 
 their untapped potential by using fear

10

00:00:36,169 --> 00:00:38,872

as a catalyst for powerful change and 
 growth,

11

00:00:39,706 --> 00:00:43,510

so they can step into the greatest 
 version of their most authentic selves.

12

00:00:44,277 --> 00:00:46,413

All right, let's get in to some fearless 
 thinking.

13

00:01:04,197 --> 00:01:07,801

Hey fearless thinkers, welcome 
 back to the Fearless Thinking podcast.

14

00:01:08,101 --> 00:01:08,635

I'm your host.

15

00:01:08,902 --> 00:01:09,302

Michael Devous

16

00:01:10,337 --> 00:01:16,9

Episode 52, the Power of Saying No: How 
 to Focus Your Energy and Achieve

17

00:01:16,309 --> 00:01:17,577

Success.

18

00:01:19,479 --> 00:01:22,415

This podcast is all about embracing 
 your authentic self

19

00:01:22,916 --> 00:01:24,651

to achieve entrepreneurial greatness.

20

00:01:25,919 --> 00:01:26,720

And

21

00:01:27,320 --> 00:01:30,924

it's part of my manifestation 
 statement, in fact, to help you step

22

00:01:31,57 --> 00:01:35,28

into the greatest version of your most 
 authentic self by addressing fears

23

00:01:36,262 --> 00:01:36,663

and our relationship

24

00:01:37,797 --> 00:01:38,431

with fear.

25

00:01:39,232 --> 00:01:42,102

And this topic we're diving into today 
 might seem counterintuitive

26

00:01:43,303 --> 00:01:44,170

at first,

27

00:01:44,571 --> 00:01:46,239

but it is the power of saying

28

00:01:46,906 --> 00:01:47,73

no.

29

00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:47,841

Now

30

00:01:50,176 --> 00:01:53,747

I couldn't think whether or not I have, 
 if I have a particular

31

00:01:55,215 --> 00:01:56,349

challenge with this.

32

00:01:56,816 --> 00:01:59,185

I think when I was younger, I said yes

33

00:02:01,154 --> 00:02:03,56

to a lot of the wrong things.

34

00:02:03,556 --> 00:02:08,595

But I think as I went along and 
 discovered that saying yes, I wanted to

35

00:02:08,595 --> 00:02:11,664

say yes to things that I knew and 
 understood would actually benefit

36

00:02:12,198 --> 00:02:14,401

the journey in the path I'd set for 
 myself.

37

00:02:15,35 --> 00:02:15,835

And

38

00:02:16,670 --> 00:02:20,206

you know, when I was back, when I was 
 saying yes because I wanted to people

39

00:02:20,340 --> 00:02:22,75

please, or as a chronic yes man,

40

00:02:23,76 --> 00:02:26,880

saying yes to every project and every 
 opportunity and every invitation,

41

00:02:27,881 --> 00:02:30,83

thinking that more was always better.

42

00:02:32,819 --> 00:02:36,523

I think that's true in some respects, 
 to certain types of industries.

43

00:02:37,57 --> 00:02:37,624

I was a performer.

44

00:02:38,24 --> 00:02:40,160

So if ever there was an opportunity to 
 perform

45

00:02:41,394 --> 00:02:43,963

in my brain, I thought, well, the more 
 times you perform, the better.

46

00:02:44,597 --> 00:02:45,532

Well, first of all, you get better,

47

00:02:46,666 --> 00:02:48,368

and second of all, it's opportunity.

48

00:02:48,902 --> 00:02:51,204

And for some reason, I thought of 
 opportunity.

49

00:02:51,538 --> 00:02:53,907

If someone was given me an opportunity,

50

00:02:55,75 --> 00:02:56,476

I thought I should take it,

51

00:02:57,210 --> 00:02:57,544

rather than

52

00:02:58,578 --> 00:03:02,282

understanding the value of the 
 opportunity in exchange for my time and

53

00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:03,516

my attention and my talents

54

00:03:04,250 --> 00:03:07,354

and I don't think a lot of us are 
 taught how to leverage

55

00:03:08,488 --> 00:03:10,590

that experience in that time against 
 it.

56

00:03:10,657 --> 00:03:13,426

Remember, you have a limited amount of 
 time on this planet,

57

00:03:14,94 --> 00:03:17,764

and a limited amount of time to offer 
 your gifts to the world.

58

00:03:18,398 --> 00:03:19,199

And

59

00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:21,434

when you,

60

00:03:22,902 --> 00:03:23,636

if you're not weighing,

61

00:03:24,738 --> 00:03:27,874

if you're not weighing the value of 
 your time against what people are

62

00:03:27,874 --> 00:03:30,410

asking you to do, if you're not 
 thinking in that mindset, and you're

63

00:03:30,410 --> 00:03:33,780

not prepared to actually figure out 
 what the value of your time and your

64

00:03:33,780 --> 00:03:34,881

attention is,

65

00:03:37,317 --> 00:03:41,321

I don't know if there's a quotient, I 
 don't know if there's a formula for it,

66

00:03:41,321 --> 00:03:44,824

but the amount of time, talent and 
 attention and skill set that you have

67

00:03:44,824 --> 00:03:46,893

over your lifetime is a value.

68

00:03:47,627 --> 00:03:48,428

People want it.

69

00:03:48,495 --> 00:03:49,396

People will seek it out.

70

00:03:49,396 --> 00:03:50,897

People will try to get it from you.

71

00:03:51,64 --> 00:03:52,465

People will want to pay you for it,

72

00:03:53,233 --> 00:03:53,767

you know,

73

00:03:54,601 --> 00:03:58,171

and saying yes to the things that 
 actually help you on your journey, that

74

00:03:58,171 --> 00:03:59,539

actually helped propel you forward.

75

00:04:00,106 --> 00:04:01,608

And I don't mean by being

76

00:04:02,175 --> 00:04:04,811

mean or rude or disrespectful to other 
 people when they ask.

77

00:04:05,211 --> 00:04:08,815

You know, a prime example was, you 
 know, I did, some I'll reach on

78

00:04:08,815 --> 00:04:10,650

LinkedIn trying to promote the Ascend 
 Hub,

79

00:04:11,851 --> 00:04:12,752

reaching out to some people,

80

00:04:13,787 --> 00:04:15,855

some executives and CEOs.

81

00:04:16,356 --> 00:04:18,391

And I got a couple of responses this 
 past week.

82

00:04:19,292 --> 00:04:20,26

I don't know.

83

00:04:20,93 --> 00:04:21,761

I don't see how this can possibly help 
 me.

84

00:04:23,663 --> 00:04:24,330

Ok,

85

00:04:24,631 --> 00:04:24,931

fair,

86

00:04:26,332 --> 00:04:27,701

you know that's where you are.

87

00:04:29,369 --> 00:04:30,337

You can't see the opportunity.

88

00:04:30,904 --> 00:04:33,6

And maybe I didn't describe it well 
 enough.

89

00:04:33,139 --> 00:04:34,841

Maybe it wasn't presented in a proper 
 way.

90

00:04:34,908 --> 00:04:37,277

Maybe my language and my copy was off.

91

00:04:40,13 --> 00:04:42,215

But I have to take that information

92

00:04:43,450 --> 00:04:46,386

as it comes and understand, they are

93

00:04:47,354 --> 00:04:47,654

establishing

94

00:04:48,655 --> 00:04:50,423

the value of their time and their 
 attention.

95

00:04:50,590 --> 00:04:52,325

And if what, I'm offering doesn't meet 
 them

96

00:04:52,759 --> 00:04:54,894

where they need it, they have to say no.

97

00:04:55,362 --> 00:04:56,162

And

98

00:04:56,896 --> 00:04:58,498

that's good, I mean, that's necessary,

99

00:04:59,532 --> 00:05:01,301

I think, in order to learn how to do 
 that.

100

00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:02,569

Now, you don't have to be mean,

101

00:05:04,104 --> 00:05:07,240

but if you constantly say yes to so 
 many different things where you're

102

00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:08,8

exchanging your

103

00:05:08,908 --> 00:05:12,812

valuable time, attention your energy 
 and your talents for somebody else's

104

00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:15,815

experience, somebody else's opportunity,

105

00:05:16,416 --> 00:05:20,920

you can get spread very thin, stressed 
 out and unable to give your best to any

106

00:05:20,987 --> 00:05:22,655

of it, let alone all of it.

107

00:05:22,756 --> 00:05:23,690

And then juggling those

108

00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:25,291

situations

109

00:05:25,792 --> 00:05:28,828

can feel exciting, because you can feel 
 like, oh, I'm so busy, I'm in such high

110

00:05:28,995 --> 00:05:29,162

demand.

111

00:05:29,863 --> 00:05:31,831

But eventually, you know, you can get 
 burnt out.

112

00:05:32,832 --> 00:05:36,169

And these are the pitfalls of saying 
 yes to everything.

113

00:05:37,704 --> 00:05:40,507

When we say yes to everything, 
 essentially what we're saying, we're

114

00:05:40,573 --> 00:05:42,409

actually saying no, by the way,

115

00:05:43,143 --> 00:05:43,943

to our own opportunities.

116

00:05:44,511 --> 00:05:47,347

Other opportunities, they call that the 
 opportunity cost,

117

00:05:48,815 --> 00:05:51,51

if you want to know, there's a name 
 called the opportunity cost.

118

00:05:51,618 --> 00:05:53,586

It is what you lose

119

00:05:54,587 --> 00:05:56,489

or you sacrifice or

120

00:05:57,390 --> 00:05:59,826

give up when you say yes to something

121

00:06:01,61 --> 00:06:04,898

that happens in every situation, every 
 decision that you make comes at the

122

00:06:04,898 --> 00:06:06,66

cost of another choice.

123

00:06:07,0 --> 00:06:11,404

And losing our focus and our energy 
 when it gets scattered, we end up

124

00:06:11,471 --> 00:06:13,473

sacrificing quality for quantity,

125

00:06:14,741 --> 00:06:15,642

thinking more is better.

126

00:06:16,343 --> 00:06:19,846

Ah, like running a marathon while 
 you're carrying a backpack full of rocks.

127

00:06:21,147 --> 00:06:23,850

You might make it to the finish line, 
 but you're going to be exhausted and

128

00:06:23,850 --> 00:06:25,118

you're going to be worn out

129

00:06:26,820 --> 00:06:28,121

just because you carried more.

130

00:06:28,421 --> 00:06:28,655

You know,

131

00:06:29,689 --> 00:06:30,90

I think

132

00:06:30,423 --> 00:06:34,561

if you're going to begin this journey 
 as an entrepreneur, begin to really evaluate

133

00:06:35,228 --> 00:06:36,963

your talent, your time and your 
 attention.

134

00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:38,832

I think you need to start setting

135

00:06:40,433 --> 00:06:40,834

your value

136

00:06:42,102 --> 00:06:42,736

system,

137

00:06:43,470 --> 00:06:46,139

an exchange rate, an understanding

138

00:06:46,506 --> 00:06:48,308

of what that means when you say yes

139

00:06:48,908 --> 00:06:51,344

and how that will impact the strategic

140

00:06:52,412 --> 00:06:52,579

goal.

141

00:06:53,79 --> 00:06:54,347

Goals you have in mind

142

00:06:56,249 --> 00:06:59,619

the map you've created for yourself to 
 get where you want to go.

143

00:07:00,186 --> 00:07:01,154

And the art of saying, no,

144

00:07:02,355 --> 00:07:02,889

is

145

00:07:03,456 --> 00:07:04,824

it's not about being negative, 
 obviously,

146

00:07:05,859 --> 00:07:06,993

in turning down every opportunity.

147

00:07:07,460 --> 00:07:09,396

But it is about being strategic and 
 intentional

148

00:07:10,430 --> 00:07:11,231

with that.

149

00:07:11,398 --> 00:07:12,799

Yes, with that time

150

00:07:13,299 --> 00:07:13,700

and energy.

151

00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,470

It's about learning how to prioritize 
 what really matters, and then letting

152

00:07:17,537 --> 00:07:19,839

go with the rest and understanding that 
 it's ok.

153

00:07:20,674 --> 00:07:23,43

The fear of missing out, which is 
 something that, you know, FOMO

154

00:07:23,710 --> 00:07:27,80

has been trained into us by media guys,

155

00:07:28,748 --> 00:07:32,752

it's messaging, things that are on your 
 phones, social media and everything.

156

00:07:33,219 --> 00:07:34,754

It's not something you have to do.

157

00:07:34,921 --> 00:07:37,223

It isn't something you picked up 
 because you're experiencing.

158

00:07:37,557 --> 00:07:40,827

You were taught this by messaging out 
 there in the world, that if you aren't

159

00:07:41,61 --> 00:07:43,830

trying to do everything else that's out 
 there, you're missing out.

160

00:07:44,597 --> 00:07:45,231

Well, you know what?

161

00:07:45,298 --> 00:07:47,400

The thing you're doing is, what is 
 important?

162

00:07:47,867 --> 00:07:51,137

The goal you have, the dream, you want 
 to build, the entrepreneurial journey

163

00:07:51,237 --> 00:07:54,708

and the business and services you want 
 to bring to life in the world, that's valuable.

164

00:07:55,709 --> 00:07:57,444

That's important, that's where it's at.

165

00:07:57,944 --> 00:08:00,146

You don't have a fear of missing out on 
 that goal.

166

00:08:01,81 --> 00:08:04,117

Learn how to say no learn how to 
 strategically and intentionally

167

00:08:05,218 --> 00:08:09,456

value your time and your energy and 
 leverage that against every opportunity

168

00:08:10,256 --> 00:08:11,624

that might come along.

169

00:08:12,192 --> 00:08:12,359

Right?

170

00:08:12,759 --> 00:08:13,126

So,

171

00:08:14,894 --> 00:08:15,528

excuse me,

172

00:08:16,896 --> 00:08:20,633

here's a couple ways you can say no 
 without feeling guilty or burning Bridges.

173

00:08:21,534 --> 00:08:23,36

1. is, Be Honest & Direct.

174

00:08:23,703 --> 00:08:24,838

You know, don't beat around the bush.

175

00:08:24,971 --> 00:08:25,305

Just simple.

176

00:08:25,372 --> 00:08:26,39

Thank you for the opportunity.

177

00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:28,41

But it is not a good fit for me right 
 now.

178

00:08:28,108 --> 00:08:31,211

I have these responses, like I said 
 this past week on LinkedIn

179

00:08:32,178 --> 00:08:34,347

um, "I'm a very big busy CEO.

180

00:08:34,748 --> 00:08:36,816

I have a lot of communities that I 
 belong to.

181

00:08:36,916 --> 00:08:39,686

I don't see how this could fit into my 
 life right now, and I don't see the benefit."

182

00:08:41,54 --> 00:08:41,221

Awesome.

183

00:08:41,554 --> 00:08:42,422

Thank you for your time.

184

00:08:42,489 --> 00:08:45,58

I really appreciate your feedback and 
 being honest with me.

185

00:08:45,558 --> 00:08:49,529

You know, if at some point in your 
 future this feels like a good fit for

186

00:08:49,529 --> 00:08:51,698

you, please keep an eye on a track on 
 us.

187

00:08:52,98 --> 00:08:55,535

As we grow and we expand, and we 
 continue to improve how we deliver and

188

00:08:55,535 --> 00:08:56,336

what we deliver on.

189

00:08:56,670 --> 00:08:59,873

Perhaps there is a good opportunity for 
 you here at the Ascend Hub.

190

00:09:00,106 --> 00:09:00,740

As a future leader,

191

00:09:02,409 --> 00:09:04,110

there's ways to not take it personally.

192

00:09:04,511 --> 00:09:05,679

You know,

193

00:09:06,346 --> 00:09:07,47

let me get this.

194

00:09:09,849 --> 00:09:10,650

Don Miguel Ruiz,

195

00:09:12,419 --> 00:09:13,119

five agreements.

196

00:09:13,953 --> 00:09:14,821

This is the 5th agreement.

197

00:09:15,455 --> 00:09:17,857

i cant find my 5... I've usually 
 given away his gifts, the five

198

00:09:17,857 --> 00:09:18,24

agreements.

199

00:09:18,491 --> 00:09:21,561

One of those agreements is never to 
 take it personally.

200

00:09:22,595 --> 00:09:26,399

It is a massive practice to remember 
 that when somebody says something that might

201

00:09:27,0 --> 00:09:32,172

come off rude, feel abrasive or 
 whatever, it's really not about you,

202

00:09:32,672 --> 00:09:33,440

it's about them.

203

00:09:33,940 --> 00:09:37,644

And if you can practice the art of just 
 not taking it personally, you can

204

00:09:37,711 --> 00:09:41,614

really find your way through to 
 accepting the answer and accepting the response,

205

00:09:42,649 --> 00:09:43,383

and then responding

206

00:09:44,818 --> 00:09:46,720

in a positive way.

207

00:09:48,188 --> 00:09:50,190

Which brings me to 2. Offer 
 Alternatives.

208

00:09:50,757 --> 00:09:52,992

You know, if you can't take on the 
 project yourself,

209

00:09:54,260 --> 00:09:58,98

maybe you know someone who can, or 
 perhaps you can offer a smaller

210

00:09:58,331 --> 00:09:58,498

contribution.

211

00:09:59,65 --> 00:10:02,669

Maybe it's not a full yes, maybe it's a 
 partial yes, maybe it's a yes.

212

00:10:03,236 --> 00:10:03,837

However,

213

00:10:04,437 --> 00:10:06,72

it comes with caveats, right?

214

00:10:06,740 --> 00:10:10,43

If you see a potential opportunity 
 there to discover something more, but

215

00:10:10,110 --> 00:10:12,812

you have to get further into the 
 project in order to know what that is,

216

00:10:13,546 --> 00:10:14,114

put that up front.

217

00:10:14,681 --> 00:10:15,448

Be honest about it.

218

00:10:15,448 --> 00:10:18,184

Be honest with your time and your 
 attention and what you can offer.

219

00:10:18,351 --> 00:10:21,454

And if it's a limited amount in order 
 to discover something better,

220

00:10:22,655 --> 00:10:24,758

then make sure you're very clear about 
 that as well.

221

00:10:24,891 --> 00:10:26,726

And then that brings me to setting 
 boundaries.

222

00:10:28,94 --> 00:10:30,96

Always let people know what you are 
 available

223

00:10:31,398 --> 00:10:33,433

for and what you're not available for.

224

00:10:34,734 --> 00:10:39,72

These boundaries come from when I was 
 saying earlier about establishing your value,

225

00:10:40,106 --> 00:10:43,943

understanding what the value of your 
 time, your attention and your talents,

226

00:10:44,344 --> 00:10:49,82

truly is and truly means in comparison 
 to the goals you have in mind for

227

00:10:49,149 --> 00:10:49,315

yourself.

228

00:10:49,949 --> 00:10:51,985

And if that includes launching the 
 business,

229

00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:57,323

then that increases the amount of time 
 away from launching your business, away

230

00:10:57,390 --> 00:11:01,227

from getting work done, away from 
 succeeding and getting your goals and

231

00:11:01,227 --> 00:11:04,898

your dreams out into the world to do 
 and focus on somebody else's opportunity.

232

00:11:05,932 --> 00:11:10,337

Now if that opportunity helps you move 
 forward, helps you move the needle of

233

00:11:10,503 --> 00:11:13,707

your success, then perhaps that is 
 something you want to add to your

234

00:11:13,707 --> 00:11:13,873

plate.

235

00:11:14,40 --> 00:11:15,208

You've got to figure out how to do 
 that.

236

00:11:16,343 --> 00:11:19,512

healthy boundaries around how to 
 navigate

237

00:11:20,513 --> 00:11:23,717

the opportunity that's coming your way, 
 and establish those boundaries up

238

00:11:23,783 --> 00:11:28,421

front, be very clear about them up 
 front, so people aren't surprised, and

239

00:11:28,421 --> 00:11:29,55

they don't have unrealistic,

240

00:11:30,256 --> 00:11:30,557

unspoken

241

00:11:31,291 --> 00:11:32,292

expectations.

242

00:11:32,992 --> 00:11:34,527

4. The last is Don't Over

243

00:11:34,761 --> 00:11:35,362

Explain.

244

00:11:36,896 --> 00:11:40,100

A simple no, can, obviously can be 
 enough for some people.

245

00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:44,37

You don't owe everyone a lengthy 
 explanation of why you can't

246

00:11:44,437 --> 00:11:46,840

participate or do something you might 
 mention.

247

00:11:48,274 --> 00:11:49,876

I really appreciate this opportunity.

248

00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:51,644

I think it's a wonderful thing.

249

00:11:51,711 --> 00:11:53,880

Thank you for thinking of me, but it's 
 a no at this time.

250

00:11:54,914 --> 00:11:57,317

I just don't have enough space in my 
 calendar.

251

00:11:58,18 --> 00:12:01,488

Whatever, you can come up with 
 something that's polite and easy and

252

00:12:01,554 --> 00:12:06,893

affirm any affirming of both the offer, 
 recognizing the value of the offer,

253

00:12:08,661 --> 00:12:10,563

but not over explaining yourself.

254

00:12:11,231 --> 00:12:12,966

You know, focusing on your niche,

255

00:12:13,533 --> 00:12:15,535

they said, the niches, "The Riches Are 
 In The Niches".

256

00:12:16,102 --> 00:12:22,275

saying no allows you to actually focus 
 more on your niche, your unique area of expertise,

257

00:12:23,376 --> 00:12:24,978

because you are beginning to be laser 
 focused.

258

00:12:26,179 --> 00:12:26,980

You're setting priorities.

259

00:12:27,614 --> 00:12:30,383

And you can become a true expert in 
 your field

260

00:12:30,984 --> 00:12:34,120

and attract the right clients, by the 
 way, and build sustainable businesses.

261

00:12:34,421 --> 00:12:36,489

When you learn to say no and niche down.

262

00:12:37,123 --> 00:12:37,757

And

263

00:12:38,591 --> 00:12:41,294

saying no allows you to focus on your 
 niche.

264

00:12:42,595 --> 00:12:46,599

The niches, or in the riches are, in 
 the niches, you could focus on your

265

00:12:46,599 --> 00:12:50,603

area of expertise by saying no and get 
 laser focused, so that you can continue

266

00:12:50,837 --> 00:12:55,375

to become an expert in your field to 
 attract the right clients and build a sustainable

267

00:12:55,675 --> 00:12:56,810

business.

268

00:12:59,379 --> 00:13:01,114

5. Embrace Essentialism.

269

00:13:01,781 --> 00:13:05,719

If you have ever heard of essentialism 
 it's this philosophy that's all about

270

00:13:06,19 --> 00:13:06,886

doing less,

271

00:13:08,488 --> 00:13:09,289

which is better.

272

00:13:09,956 --> 00:13:11,658

Doing less is better.

273

00:13:12,592 --> 00:13:13,226

Less is more.

274

00:13:13,460 --> 00:13:16,996

You've heard that before, it's about 
 identifying the few things that are

275

00:13:17,63 --> 00:13:21,301

truly essential to your business model, 
 to what your goals are trying to

276

00:13:21,634 --> 00:13:23,670

achieve, and eliminating the rest.

277

00:13:24,337 --> 00:13:25,939

It's like, think of it like decluttering

278

00:13:26,973 --> 00:13:28,8

your business

279

00:13:28,575 --> 00:13:30,243

life and your business calendar.

280

00:13:32,746 --> 00:13:37,317

Essentialism is really defining, as I 
 mentioned before, when you're defining

281

00:13:37,617 --> 00:13:40,653

your value and leveraging your talent, 
 your time and your attention,

282

00:13:42,889 --> 00:13:45,759

when you're really focused on what that 
 value means,

283

00:13:46,192 --> 00:13:50,497

and you decide that you can niche down 
 into those very specific things that

284

00:13:50,897 --> 00:13:52,465

move the needle forward and focus on

285

00:13:53,533 --> 00:13:57,70

the goals that you have to get to, the 
 milestones that you have to achieve on

286

00:13:57,70 --> 00:13:57,604

your road.

287

00:13:59,39 --> 00:13:59,372

Eliminating

288

00:14:01,241 --> 00:14:02,809

those things that distract from

289

00:14:04,177 --> 00:14:07,881

decluttering your business life, so 
 that you can focus on the things that

290

00:14:07,881 --> 00:14:12,118

move the needle forward, becomes a part 
 of your own personal and professional

291

00:14:12,585 --> 00:14:12,752

essentialism.

292

00:14:13,553 --> 00:14:15,555

And that includes your personal life.

293

00:14:15,555 --> 00:14:17,323

Excuse me then include your personal 
 life.

294

00:14:17,390 --> 00:14:19,459

Remember that there are going to be 
 some things you're going to have to

295

00:14:19,459 --> 00:14:23,396

sacrifice in your personal life and 
 reduce the amount of time that it takes

296

00:14:23,463 --> 00:14:23,930

away from you.

297

00:14:25,65 --> 00:14:29,536

Begin to look at the ways that those 
 things that you do for social, cultural

298

00:14:30,36 --> 00:14:31,204

and family

299

00:14:31,504 --> 00:14:32,305

time,

300

00:14:32,906 --> 00:14:36,309

if they are valuable to your balance, 
 your mindset,

301

00:14:36,976 --> 00:14:38,678

your soul, your spirit, then great.

302

00:14:39,212 --> 00:14:41,948

If they're not, and they're just 
 another distraction, then obviously

303

00:14:42,248 --> 00:14:43,550

that's not part of being essential.

304

00:14:44,351 --> 00:14:47,53

And you need to eliminate those things 
 as well.

305

00:14:47,721 --> 00:14:51,157

It takes practice to do that, to say 
 no, not only to yourself and the things

306

00:14:51,224 --> 00:14:55,628

around you that you're used to doing, 
 but also to those opportunities that

307

00:14:55,695 --> 00:14:57,430

may not actually be, well,

308

00:14:58,98 --> 00:14:59,32

a good opportunity.

309

00:14:59,699 --> 00:15:03,470

So if you're ready to reclaim your time 
 and your focus and your energy and

310

00:15:03,536 --> 00:15:06,406

attract and achieve greater success,

311

00:15:07,140 --> 00:15:08,975

then it starts with the power of 
 saying, no.

312

00:15:09,476 --> 00:15:09,642

Practice

313

00:15:09,876 --> 00:15:12,512

the art of saying... actually, there's a couple 
 of books called The Art Of Saying No.

314

00:15:12,579 --> 00:15:14,280

Actually one has called 
 The Art Of Saying No.

315

00:15:14,981 --> 00:15:15,849

I would pick that up.

316

00:15:15,849 --> 00:15:16,983

That's a wonderful book

317

00:15:18,518 --> 00:15:21,588

that sort of digs even further into 
 this concept.

318

00:15:22,589 --> 00:15:25,792

At the Ascend Hub, we'll be looking at 
 these types of books as part of our

319

00:15:25,859 --> 00:15:26,359

book club.

320

00:15:26,893 --> 00:15:29,696

Some of the reading material that we 
 will be doing on personal and

321

00:15:29,696 --> 00:15:31,31

professional development and growth

322

00:15:31,931 --> 00:15:34,901

here to help you develop those skills 
 and the mindset that you need to become

323

00:15:35,68 --> 00:15:36,202

an essential entrepreneur.

324

00:15:36,970 --> 00:15:40,173

And learn about the power of saying no 
 to leverage your talent, your time and

325

00:15:40,173 --> 00:15:43,710

your attentions towards moving the 
 needle forward on the things that are

326

00:15:43,777 --> 00:15:45,712

valuable and important for you.

327

00:15:46,12 --> 00:15:49,916

So together we'll create a life of 
 focus and purpose and extraordinary results

328

00:15:50,650 --> 00:15:50,817

together.

329

00:15:51,451 --> 00:15:51,685

Yeah,

330

00:15:52,118 --> 00:15:52,585

that's what I said

331

00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:54,87

together.

332

00:15:54,654 --> 00:15:54,821

Ok.

333

00:15:55,221 --> 00:15:58,725

Well, thanks again for listening to an 
 episode of Fearless Thinking.

334

00:15:59,292 --> 00:16:00,827

Have a wonderful rest of your week.

335

00:16:00,894 --> 00:16:01,861

Do some fearless thinking.

336

00:16:02,95 --> 00:16:04,597

And you know what, take a look at your 
 to dos.

337

00:16:04,898 --> 00:16:06,32

And let's get essential.

338

00:16:06,733 --> 00:16:07,634

Let's do some "no's".

339

00:16:07,801 --> 00:16:10,870

Think of some no's you can do that are 
 healthy for you, that feel good about

340

00:16:11,538 --> 00:16:15,41

eliminating some of that clutter at 
 getting you more focused.

341

00:16:15,709 --> 00:16:17,711

Have a wonderful week, and we'll see 
 you next time.

342

00:16:18,11 --> 00:16:18,244

Bye.