I read a really interesting quote Steve Jobs said: “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.”
There’s a great deal of wisdom in this quote, particularly in today’s world. We live in an age of infinite choices. Saying no is the only way to create space for focus on the things you say yes to.
Say no to the non-essential. You have 1 limited resource… Time. You can do anything, but not everything.
Saying yes is easy. You feel good about it. It makes you think you’re contributing. Only to find out you can’t perform to what you said yes to.
Saying no is difficult. It means you have priorities. It means you’re willing to plant your flag and say, “This is where I stand.” Having the conviction to say no is hard.
If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re most likely full of ideas. Everything looks like it can make you money. So you try everything at once, and accomplish nothing.
Saying no is a skill. Just like weight lifting or reading, you have to build it.
Make your priorities. What activities, projects, or tasks align with your highest values? Answer this and you’ll find what to say no to.