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™
ADHD Business Strategy for Business Owners with Busy Brains
Running a business with ADHD isn't hard because you're distracted. It's hard because most business advice wasn't built for your brain.

Many entrepreneurs with ADHD try to solve business challenges with more productivity hacks, stricter routines, or systems they can never quite sustain. Others keep chasing new ideas, opportunities, and strategies, hoping the next one will finally make everything click.

The result? More cognitive load, more unfinished projects, more decision fatigue, and often more burnout.

ADHD-ish™ is the podcast about ADHD business strategy for business owners with ADHD who want to grow a successful company without forcing themselves to think, work, or lead like everyone else.

Each episode explores the real-world challenges of running a business with ADHD, including ADHD business growth, delegation and accountability, decision-making, executive function in business, burnout prevention, leadership, and building business systems that actually work for your brain. You'll hear practical strategies, honest conversations, personal stories, and expert insights designed to help you make better decisions, follow through on what matters most, and create sustainable success.

I'm Diann Wingert. As a business coach, former psychotherapist, serial entrepreneur, and the creator of ADHD-ish™, I've spent years helping entrepreneurs and business owners with ADHD stop fighting their brains and start building businesses that work with them.

Whether you're an ADHD entrepreneur, an ADHD small business owner, or a founder trying to scale a business while managing the realities of ADHD, this show will help you lead more effectively, grow more intentionally, and build a business that's designed for the way you think.