Episode 87

Mastering the Power of "No"

Published on: 4th January, 2022

Two weeks ago we talked about boundaries and if you haven’t listened to that episode yet, I suggest you do.  Boundaries and knowing when to say “no” go together like PB & J. In this companion episode, I will be talking about not the mechanics of saying no (although I do give you a simple strategy for what to do when you’re put on the spot, near the end…) but more of the strategy behind the no.  

If you are a solopreneur, creative freelancer, or indie professional, you are probably faced with a million requests a day.  Knowing when to say “no” and why is crucial to having a profitable business and avoiding burnout.   The focus of today’s solo episode is on service-based businesses, but the principles apply to most businesses, and to our personal lives as well.  

Here are just a few of the highlights: 

Are you prepared to respond to requests for:

  • Discounts
  • Bartering
  • Payment Plans
  • Guaranteed Results 
  • Extra Time & Attention
  • Any kind of scope creep 

We are going to discuss the fears that keep us from saying no when we want to:

  • Fear of losing a client
  • Fear of negative reviews
  • Fear that unhappy clients mean we really aren’t good enough

And don’t forget to stay with me to the end where I will share a simple strategy for how to get yourself off the hot seat when you are ambushed with an unexpected request. 

Shout outs in this episode:

Copywriter Juliet Peay, creator of Killer Copy Week: https://www.yeahthatwriter.com/

Book: The Four Tendencies: https://gretchenrubin.com/books/the-four-tendencies/intro/

Quote from my marketing coach, Claudia Schalkx https://bridge2more.com/

 

Could you use some serious help with saying no to whatever isn’t working in your business and life?

With 20+ years of experience as a psychotherapist and 5+ years as a coach, I’ve never met a solopreneur, coach, or consultant who couldn’t use a boundary boost. Click here to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to see if my signature 12-week 1:1 coaching program is right for you. https://bit.ly/calendly-free-consultation

Let’s connect on Instagram: 

Instagram: https://bit.ly/DWC-Instagram

So, that’s all for now, Driven Woman!  See you next week, when my guest Annie P. Ruggles of the Too Legitimate to Quit Podcast joins me to dig into the juicy topic of sleaze-free selling for creative service business owners. 

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About the Podcast

ADHD-ish
For Business Owners with Busy Brains
ADHD-ish is THE podcast for business owners who are driven and distracted, whether you have an “official” ADHD diagnosis or not. If you identify as an entrepreneur, small business owner, creative, independent professional, or freelancer, and you color outside the lines and think outside the box, this podcast is for you.

People with ADHD traits are far more likely to start a business because we love novelty and autonomy. But running a business can be lonely and exhausting. Having so many brilliant ideas means dozens of projects you’ve started and offers you’ve brainstormed, but few you’ve actually launched. Choosing what to say "yes" to and what to "catch and release" is even harder. This is exactly why I created ADHD-ish.

Each episode offers practical strategies, personal stories, and expert insights to help you harness your active mind and turn potential distractions into business success. From productivity tools to mindset shifts, you’ll learn how to do business your way by
embracing your neurodivergent edge and turning your passion and purpose into profit.

If we haven't met, I'm your host, Diann Wingert, a psychotherapist-turned-business coach and serial business owner, who struggled for years with cookie-cutter advice meant for “normies” and superficial ADHD hacks that didn’t go the distance. In ADHD-ish, I’m sharing the best of what I’ve learned from running my businesses and working with coaching clients who are like-minded and like-brained.

Note: ADHD-ish does have an explicit rating, not because of an abundance of “F-bombs” but because I embrace creative self-expression for my guests and myself. So, grab those headphones if you have littles around, and don’t forget to hit Follow/Subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.