There is a great book written by Andy Stanley called Choosing to Cheat. In this book, Stanley "addresses the tension felt between the drive for success in the workplace and the significance of healthy relationships at home and finding the balance point."
One of the main principles in Choosing to Cheat is whenever you say Yes to Something, by default You are Saying No to something else. In other words, when you say yes to taking on a new project you are saying no to being home at a certain time. When you say yes to designing a website over the weekend, you are in turn saying no to going to the beach.
And while this book was mainly about that elusive work-life balance, I have used it in my business to great success. I know that for every project or client I say yes to, I am saying no to another project and or client.
Having this cognition ever-present allows me to make great decisions about my time, talent, and values as a business. Whenever I have a decision to make, even something as small as do I meet a potential client for coffee, I do a mental rundown of what am I saying no to in my business. Every conference call, zoom call, or investment runs through the same mental gymnastics.
Is my yes opportunity greater than my no responsibilities?
In other words, does saying yes yield greater results than what I said no to.
If you have ever asked me a question like this, you have most likely noticed I do not answer quickly. I don’t accept meeting requests quickly. Because they all need to go through this filter. And folks, it has made me quite successful.
So what has changed?
First, let me just say I still believe in the underlying thesis of the book. How I apply it has changed.
- At this stage of my career, my priorities are changing. I am now at the beginning of the sunset of my life.
- Judging my yes by my no is limiting.
Let me explain
Listen, if my yes was powerful. Then my no is equally as powerful.
My yes creates a no — But my No releases a Yes
My Yes causes me to look at the downside/the cost/ what am I losing - My No causes me to look at the upside/the revenue/ what am I gaining.
Now when I say no — I get excited about what yes opportunities are now available.