Learning How to Say 'No' to Boost Productivity
Do Any of These Scenarios Sound Familiar?
You’re often asked, “Can I pick your brain?” or offered a coffee in exchange for your expertise.
You’re invited to speak at events, without payment, under the guise that it will be “good for your career.”
You’re burning out creating endless social media posts and articles that barely get views, likes, or comments.
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Pre-pandemic, I could check all these boxes, and even now, many of them still apply. At first, being in demand can feel flattering; it strokes the ego. But when you start weighing the time spent against the revenue generated, the imbalance becomes glaring.
How Do You Ensure Your Time Is Spent Productively?
The key lies in clarifying your offer and making your call to action specific.
Admittedly, this is easier said than done, especially if:
You’re in the early stages of your business, still evolving and searching for product-market fit.
You shy away from the “spammy sales tactics” that dominate the internet, where every interaction ends with a FOMO-inducing pitch to “Buy Now.”
For those of us with portfolio careers (myself included), there’s the added challenge of wearing multiple hats. Deciding which hat to wear at any given moment, and communicating that clearly, can be difficult, especially for potential customers.
A Strategy to Avoid Customer Confusion
One way I address this is by segmenting my marketing channels based on audience type. Here’s how I break it down:
LinkedIn: My go-to platform for business contacts related to my contract work with FirmTech. Through direct messaging, I organise meetings with healthcare professionals and decision-makers.
Instagram: A visual portfolio for venues interested in booking my cabaret and musical performances. It’s where they can get a taste of my work before making a decision.
Substack: A space to connect with a community of like-minded individuals interested in intimacy and relationships among older adults. This platform has led to commissions from national newspapers and collaborations that have expanded my audience and reach.
By tailoring my approach for each platform, I’ve been able to make my efforts more efficient and productive, turning what could have been wasted time into meaningful opportunities.
The bottom line? Your efforts should work for you, not the other way around. Make your offer clear, define your call to action, and align your efforts with your goals.
Ultimately, there’s only so many hours in a day and it’s up to us how we use them.
Saying ‘no’ isn’t about turning people away, it’s about recognising your own value.
Before saying yes, here’s three questions to ask yourself:
Does this align with my goals, values, or long-term vision?
Not every opportunity is a good fit, even if it looks appealing on the surface. Ask yourself whether this will bring you closer to your professional or personal objectives. If it’s not aligned, it might be more of a distraction than an opportunity.What’s the return on investment (ROI) for my time and energy?
Consider both tangible and intangible benefits. Will this opportunity pay fairly for your time? Will it help you build meaningful connections, grow your skills, or enhance your reputation? If the effort outweighs the benefits, it may not be worth pursuing.What am I saying ‘no’ to by saying ‘yes’ to this?
Every commitment comes with an opportunity cost. Taking on something new might mean sacrificing time for higher-priority tasks, personal goals, or rest. Be clear about what you’re giving up and whether it’s worth it.
Don’t forget - every paid up Get Work Done Club member has the opportunity for a 15 minute office hour session with either me or my colleague
. We’ll help you to prioritise your work and align your values with your vision.All GWDC events are bookable via Eventbrite and you can book for the months ahead, which means you’ll receive reminders as and when they occur.
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