How to say “No?” 8 Reasons Why You Need To Learn To Say “NO” as an Entrepreneur

How do you learn to be comfortable with saying no as an Entrepreneur? When you do things because you want to and not because you can’t say no, you feel in control of yourself.

It makes you confident and happy. In the long run, it makes you productive and successful.

Do you feel the need to always sacrifice your time, schedule, and mental health to fulfill other people requests? 

When asked for something I know I can’t do or I know I can but it’s going to cost me more than I care to. I have no problem saying no.

And I don’t feel guilty because as much as I love to help people, I also understand the importance of taking care of myself and my mental health.

How I learned the habit of saying “No?”

It wasn’t always like this. I remember at some point, I couldn’t just say no. I rather sacrifice my time, schedule, and mental health to fulfill that request.

A lot of people are like the ‘former me.’ They find it hard to say no to other people even when saying yes hurts them.

It is unhealthy.

You may call it being kind, being a good friend, or a caring person. But not having boundaries inadvertently hurts you no matter what good intentions you have.

Saying ‘no’ doesn’t make you a bad person. Or a bad friend. And any friend who can’t understand and come to terms with it isn’t a friend.

8 Reasons why you need to learn to say “NO” as an Entrepreneur? 

1) It helps you avoid unnecessary stress.

Trying to be everything to everyone will lead to burnout as an Entrepreneur. The most stressed people are people that can’t say no.

Saying no can protect your time, energy, and resources.

2) It gives you space to recharge when emotionally and mentally drained.

You need to learn how to say no in order to protect your time, your energy, and your sanity.

3) It lets you be yourself.

Don’t be afraid to use it when you need to. What do you think people say of a person that can’t “choose him/herself? (in James Altutcher’s . – tone).

They’re wondering when you would wake up bro.

Saying no can help you avoid difficult or unwanted situations.

4) It helps build healthy relationships.

The strongest relationships are built out of healthy boundaries. You’re not doing the other party any good if you never say no when you want to.

A partner or friend wants you to do something that goes against everything you stand for? Don’t be pressured! It’s not rude if you say, “I’m sorry but I can’t.”

Saying no can improve your relationships by creating a healthy sense of detachment.

5) It helps build your self-confidence.

Confident people are selective in what they do. No wonder they’re good and competent at the few they’ve mastered.

6) It makes you happy.

It might be uncomfortable at first, but learning how to say no will pay off in the long run and result to inner happiness.

You don’t want to go to the party with friends? It’s alright, you can say no.

How about that favor he or she is asking for? Can you do it? Without it hurting you emotionally or mentally? Go ahead, say no.

7) It gives you a sense of worth

Knowing you can say no when it’s not conducive for you. People may call it selfish or rude but it is healthy and wise.

8) Set healthy boundaries.

Saying no is an important skill to have because it allows you to set boundaries and maintain control over your own life.

And it makes the time you say yes very valuable.

Also, even if you’ve said yes to a request and then, as usual, life throws a curveball. There’s nothing wrong with saying;

“I know I agreed to this before, but something came up and so I won’t be able to make it. I’m sorry.”

You aren’t obligated to please people at the expense of yourself.

But you are obligated to respect both yourself and other people by being honest and setting healthy boundaries.

How do you learn to say “no” without feeling guilty?

When someone comes to you for a favor or request, listen to what the person has to say.

Don’t be in a hurry to accept. Wait!

Weigh the request against the cost of you carrying it out.

Can you do it? At that time? Do you want to do it?

The answer you give the person should be based on the answers to the questions above. If your answer is yes, go ahead and say yes.

But If it’s not, there’s no problem saying no.

Here are ways you can politely tell someone no without feeling guilty.

  • I don’t think that’s a good idea”: You don’t have to give a reason why you don’t want to do something. Just say that you don’t think it’s a good idea and leave it at that.
  • “Thank you for asking, but no“: this is a polite way of saying no while still being grateful that they asked in the first place. If you have a specific reason like time, you can even go further to say “Glad you asked me … but I have something to do during that time so I won’t be available.
  • “No. I don’t want to.” When they think its fun but you have no interest. Then you can add something like “You all can go ahead and have fun but I won’t be joining you.”
  • “I’m not comfortable with that”: This is a perfectly valid reason for saying no. If you’re not comfortable with something, then you shouldn’t do it.
  • “No, I’m not interested in that“: Again, you don’t need to explain yourself. If you’re not interested in something, then there’s no reason to do it.
  • “I’m sorry, I can’t …but here’s someone I know that may be willingly do this.” In this case, you offer someone you know may help.
  • Lastly, “I can’t”: This is when you know its not a perfect fit for not just the moment but in the future. Apologizing makes it seem like you’re doing something wrong by saying no, when really you’re not. Just state that you cannot do something without apologizing.

In summary,

Healthy boundaries make for a healthy life, relationship and business. Its important to learn to say no to others if you’re a people pleaser.

You’ll feel a lot better about yourself when you learn to say no and who knows? The time taken to fulfill all the ‘yes’ can be channeled into something productive.

Is there a thing called sacrifice? Yes, there is. But sacrifices shouldn’t become a habit.

After all, Jesus in the Christian faith was sacrificed for our sins ONCE. And if you fail to heed that sacrifice, he has no problem telling you a big fat NO.

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