My wife and I both work on the side. When she’s not caring for our son, I do freelance writing, and she operates a decorated cookie company on the side. Clients saying “yes” to doing business with us is the lifeblood of both of our enterprises.
However, we suddenly found ourselves on unfamiliar ground at the same time, which caused us to rethink how we approach our enterprises. I had a story concept that I believed would be interesting, but I was concerned that the only magazine engaged in it would not pay well. Nonetheless, I believed it might be worth the time and effort.
So I contacted an editor who felt my proposal was intriguing but required me to conduct additional research before accepting my pitch. I asked how much they pay for tales, knowing that this extra effort would only be worthwhile if the payment on the backside was adequate.
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The editor did not react. I was irritated at first. I quickly understood I should be grateful I had been ghosted. In the past, I would have done the extra research, sent in a better pitch, been enthusiastic about this tale, set aside time to work on it, just to discover that it was never worth my time.
Someone placed a sophisticated and substantial cookie order with my wife’s company in the same few days. My wife’s leisure time would have been consumed for several hours. However, if the client was prepared to pay her for her time, it could be a fantastic situation, and she wouldn’t have to take any more orders for the rest of the month.
My wife quoted the potential customer a price that reflected the amount of effort the order would entail (in fact, I believe she still asked for too little), but the client declined, citing a financial constraint. Again, when my wife initially started her firm, missing out on such a large order may have been a severe setback.
She was relieved this time. She was well aware that this order would not have been worth the effort.
It was then that I realized how vital it is to acknowledge and enjoy both “yes” and “no” moments. Hearing no from a client or customer isn’t ideal most of the time, but it might be beneficial in certain circumstances. There are occasions when saying “no” is preferable to saying “yes.
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When The Job Isn’t Your Forte
This may occur frequently depending on your field of employment. I frequently write for magazines that allow me to do interviews, create feature stories, or write articles such as this one. It’s what I excel at. However, as a writer, I’m constantly looking for new ways to monetize my skills.
Technical writing is one of several ways that writers can earn money.
In the past, I’ve attempted to get work as a technical writer, assuming that I could learn the skills on my own. Now that I have a better understanding of what that job entails, I can rejoice in the fact that no one has ever trusted me to do it. It’s something I’d be bad at.
In numerous industries, the same thing might happen. You may believe that a particular job is a good fit for your skillset, and you may be disappointed when you are rejected… Until you realize you’re absolutely unqualified for the job.
When a Job Isn’t Worth The Effort
This is the most crucial “no” you’ll ever say at work. You’ll reach a point in your business, whether it’s your main work or a side hustle, where certain clients or consumers simply aren’t paying enough.
Determining how much you’d like to make per hour and calculating if that client’s work reaches the criteria is a key approach to find out if you’re making enough from them.
You are pleased to have any customer when you initially start a business. The impact of a “no” can be devastating.
However, it’s difficult to turn down a potential client as you grow and your costs rise in tandem with your offers and/or ability. Accept your progress and rejoice in the fact that you’ve grown to the point where you no longer need to pander to low-paying clients.
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When Dealing With a Problematic Customer
You should definitely be the one to say “no” to a client who is demanding and consumes more time and mental energy than anything else you do.
But being the one to break up a relationship isn’t in everyone’s nature. Instead, they strive to keep the relationship alive by convincing themselves that the money the customer pays is worth all the hardship they have to go through.
This goes on until the demanding client breaks up with you one day. You might think to yourself, “The nerve!” They were the hardest!
Nobody likes to be rejected, even if it’s for the best. Consider how much easier your life will be if you don’t have to deal with this tough client.
You’ll have more time to focus on your other clients, more time to go out and find a new client, and your mental health will improve dramatically.
When You Need a Break
High-priority activity isn’t always tied to the business. Spending more time with your family, improving your mental and physical health, or completing a household project could all be high-priority tasks.
People are virtually banging down the door with cookie orders for my wife. Because she used to stay up until 3 or 4 a.m. processing orders, she has a tight weekly cookie limit.
I’m not usually overworked like this. Accepting that a “no” on an order can be a good thing has been a long process for her. Instead of spending all of her spare time doing activities that offer her fulfillment and rest for a week or longer, she may spend it doing things that provide her fulfillment and rest. It’s a lesson she’s learned through a variety of adversity.
Celebrating “nos” can apply to a variety of events in our lives, ranging from the end of toxic relationships to employment rejections that would have taken us away from our families. It all boils down to having the right perspective.
When You Have More Important Work To Do
It’s obvious that getting new clients and customers is important, but you also need to focus on your present client list. You may have nailed the sales pitch to a new and exciting customer, but your long-term clients are feeling neglected.
Maybe that “no” from a potential customer was a message that you needed to refocus your efforts on your present consumers. The number one objective for the company is to keep delighted consumers.