Whenever you consider taking on a new project your default decision should always be “no”. You have enough on your plate. You need to focus on the things you’ve already decided are a priority in your life. Anything that would distract you from those priorities should be turned down.
You might change your mind tomorrow or even later today. A no can become a yes but the project has to earn it.
You have to see the value of diverting resources to take on something new. What will it cost? What will you have to give up or delay? Why should you do this instead of what you had already planned to do next?
Okay, you get it. You probably already do this to some extent. But do you also do it when someone else asks you for something?
When someone asks for a favor, your time, a donation, or anything else, your default answer should also be no, although you might not want to say that out loud.
Their request might be easy to fulfill. You may want to do it. Still, pause for a moment and consider what you’ve been asked and give yourself the option to turn it down.
Don’t be a Scrooge. But do reflect on what you might have to give up or delay if you say yes.
It’s about putting yourself first. Valuing your time and resources and not giving them away willy-nilly. Protect your time, protect your health, protect your fortune.
If you don’t take care of yourself, eventually you won’t be able to help others. And the more you take care of yourself, the more you will be able to help others.
Take care of your clients and they’ll send you referrals
