We all want to help each other in the business world. I work with entrepreneurs and small business owners all the time. They are some of the most giving people out there.
There’s a downside to that, though. Entrepreneurship puts a strain on our boundaries. We always want to seize those opportunities as soon as they happen. I’ll let you in on a little secret that will help you keep your boundaries while seeing growth as a small business owner.
Boundaries Before Business
A little while ago, I was holding one of my Moment Mentorship Group sessions, my business owner group, with some wonderful members. We had a powerful conversation that day.
- We talked about accountability.
- We talked about time-blocking.
- We talked about being intentional.
The theme around these conversations was saying “no” and creating boundaries for yourself. One member had a good but all-too-familiar example – they were constantly cancelling plans to meet with clients or meeting on Saturdays, when that was their day off. That’s all well and good to be of service to your client, but that member was overcommitting. They were being spread too thin.
When we take on too much in our business, that’s a bad sign. And that’s not going to help us get to where we truly want to be in business.
The Ultimate Superpower: Saying “No”
Ask yourself this question – how flexible or free am I if I’m always saying “yes”? There’s so much power in being able to say “no.” You’re staying true to the boundaries you’ve set. You allow yourself the time and capacity to be accountable. It’s powerful stuff.
Here’s a pro tip to help maintain those boundaries: time block and keep to that time blocking. Silence all non-urgent notifications for that time. Make time to reply to those notifications. Keep your calendar sacred and keep your time balanced.
Always Saying “Yes” Means Less Opportunity
You might think that when you say “yes” to everything, you get all the opportunity. But quite the opposite is true. Constantly saying “yes” to every task or call or client request leads to burnout.
That leads us to:
- Overpromise
- Overcommit
- Eventually, burnout
Once that burnout happens from doing everything, you’re right back at square one. You won’t grow your business if you’re overloaded.
Revisit Your Why
Coming back to your “why” will also help you be more intentional in your actions. That’s the driving force, the desire behind your business and why it exists.
The next time an opportunity comes up, take a minute to really think about it. Ask yourself if it’s in line with what you truly want or if it really fits.
ONtrepreneur Mindset and Being Flexible
I actually like to call it an ONtrepreneur mindset. There’s even more to it than focusing on growth (I talk about it more in episode 36 of my podcast.) This mindset is focusing on the real leadership of your business in the ways that are valuable to you.
When you’re a leader, you know your boundaries. The sense of knowing what drains you and what energizes you helps you to focus in on being intentional in your business.
Flexibility is another aspect of this mindset. Remember, it’s YOUR business! You call the shots. If someone wants to meet on Saturday and you’ve already committed to your daughter’s soccer game, that’s the priority. Believe me, you’ll never look back and say, Wow, I wish I had taken more clients.
Flex Your “No” Muscles
It is possible to say “no” and still transform your business. When the next opportunity comes up, ask yourself if it’s in line with what you truly want. That's having a real business mindset.
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