Master the Art of Prioritization: Say "No" to Reclaim Your Time and Well-Being

What if every "yes" you've ever said has unknowingly cost you a golden opportunity? On today's empowering episode of the Morning Mindset Podcast, Craig Skelton delves into the art of effectively managing time as a self-employed individual. We unpack the profound notion that every agreement inherently means a rejection of something else. Using a compelling metaphor of filling a jar with big rocks, pebbles, and sand, Craig emphasizes the need to prioritize tasks that truly matter. This episode not only highlights the importance of focus but also illuminates the economic principle of opportunity cost, helping you make wiser decisions.

Join us as we explore how being selective with your "yeses" can streamline your workflow, reduce stress, and safeguard your well-being. Craig makes a bold statement: saying "no" more frequently can actually be a powerful form of self-care. If you're constantly swamped with work and feeling the weight of burnout, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for actionable insights and motivational advice that will inspire you to take control of your time and achieve greater success in both your business and personal life.

Watch the episode on YouTube youtube.com/@themorning-mindset

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to Morning Mindset Podcast with me, craig Skelton. Each day, we kick off your morning with positivity, actionable insights and the motivation you need to conquer the day ahead. Whether you're looking to develop a positive mindset, a habit of persistence, or simply starting your day on the right foot, this podcast is your daily dose of inspirational and practical advice. Today's episode is about how saying yes to something means you actually also say no to something else, and why saying no more often can actually help you say yes to the things that truly matter for you and your business.

Speaker 1: 0:36

When you're self-employed, your time is your most valuable asset. The truth is, the amount of time is limited. You only have 24 hours in a day and it's up to you to decide how you want to spend each one of those hours. And this is where it does get a little bit complicated, a little bit tricky when you are self-employed, because you're juggling multiple roles, you're wearing different hats and you're trying to build and maintain a business, and the reality is, every time you say yes to something, you actually also say no to something else. It's simple, really, but by committing your time, your energy and your resources to one thing, you're inherently taken away from something else. This concept is incredibly important to grasp, because individuals will often fall into the trap of saying yes to too much. You might think that saying yes to every opportunity, every new product or every project or every client is a way to succeed. After all, isn't being busy far better than being not being busy? Isn't more work a sign of success? Well, not necessarily. When you're constantly yes, you risk spreading yourself too thin, and when that happens, the quality of your work can suffer, your stress levels can skyrocket and, ironically, you might end up achieving less than you want. So why does saying no more often actually allow you to say yes to what's important? Let's get into that first.

Speaker 1: 2:04

Let's talk about the power of focus. When you know to the less important things, you create space for what truly matters. Imagine you have a jar to fill and you've got big rock pebbles and you've got sand. If you start with the sand and then the pebbles, which are the small, less important tasks, you find that there's little room left in the big rock. Those are the things that actually matter. But if you start with the big, you can then fit your pebbles and around them, the big rocks represent your most important goals, your tasks, your values. These are the things that, if done well, can make a significant impact on your business and on your life. The pebbles are the smaller tasks, but are still important but not critical, and represents all those little things that come up daily, the daily distractions and the minor obligations that can easily consume your time if you're not careful. When you say no to the pebbles and those smaller, less important things, you give yourself opportunity to focus on those big rocks. You ensure that the most important aspects of your business and your life are given the time and energy that they deserve.

Speaker 1: 3:09

Now let's consider the concept of opportunity cost. This is an economic principle, but it applies beautifully to decision. Opportunity cost is the cost of what you have to give up when you choose one option over another. So, in other words, by saying yes to one thing, you're potentially missing out on something else that could have been a better use of your time and resources. But, for example, if you say yes to a low paying product just because it's available now, you might miss an opportunity to work on a far more lucrative, fulfilling product that comes up later. Or if you say yes to every client request, even the unreasonable one, you might find that you don't have the bandwidth to pursue the big transformative opportunities that could take your business to the next level. Be more selective and intentional. With your yeses, you reduce the opportunity cost. What you're saying yes to is truly worth your time and your energy.

Speaker 1: 4:10

Another crucial aspect to consider is your personal well-being, too. When you're self-employed, it's easy to blur the lines between work and personal life. You might feel pressured to always be on, always be working, always be available, but the truth is burnout is real and counterproductive. Saying no more often can be a powerful form of self-care. It's a way of protecting your time, your energy and your mental health. When you set those boundaries by saying no, you're making a conscious decision to prioritise your well-being. And when you're well-rested, focused and energised, you're in a much better position to give your best to the most important things, the things that matter the most to you in your business. Imagine how much more effective, creative and productive you could be if you weren't constantly drained by tasks and obligations that don't align with your goals. By saying no to those energy and activities, you preserve your energy for the work that fulfills you.

Speaker 1: 5:06

Now let's talk about the fear of saying no. Many of us struggle with this because we don't want to disappoint other people the fear of missing out on opportunities or just the fear of missing out. You don't want to come across as uncooperative. It doesn't have to be negative or confrontational. It's about how you frame it. When you say no, you're actually saying yes to something else, often something more important, more aligned with your goal and more beneficial in the long run.

Speaker 1: 5:33

Think of no as a way to protect your yeses for the things that truly matter. And remember saying no is a skill. It gets easier with practice. Start with the small things Decline the unnecessary meeting or pass on that project that doesn't quite fit with your vision, or say no to that client request that is outside of your scope. Each time you do, you're training yourself to be more intentional with your time and energy.

Speaker 1: 5:59

And let's talk about the bigger picture, your purpose. When you've got a clear vision of what you want to achieve, it becomes far easier to say no to the things that are not aligned with that vision. Your purpose acts as your compass, guiding your decisions and help you prioritise in what truly matters. And saying no isn't just about turning things down. It's about saying yes to your purpose, your goals and your values. It's about making sure your actions are aligned with the life and business that you want to create.

Speaker 1: 6:30

So take a moment today to reflect on your current commitments. Are these things that you've said yes to serving your goals? Are there areas where you could start saying no more often? And, more importantly, what are the big rocks that are going in your jar, the things that truly matter? Make sure you're giving them the time and attention they deserve. That's today's episode of the morning mindset. I hope you find today's episode give you some food for thought and start to motivate you to start saying no more often so that you can say yes to what truly matters. And remember, being self-employed means you're in control of your time and your decisions. Use that power wisely. And, as always, if you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who you feel will benefit from today's. And don't forget, subscribe so you never miss an episode. Have an amazing day, stay motivated, stay focused, stay positive and run your own race.