As soon as you have a good thing going, people want to start adding to it. Well-meaning people who want you to succeed will start giving you great ideas to add to your idea. “You should really do this!” Its a great idea.
But you can seriously screw yourself up with great ideas.
I have a pretty good thing going with Sunday| magazine. And there are so many great people offering help and suggestions. I just don’t have the time or resources to implement most of their ideas. This doesn’t mean I ignore them or dismiss them. I’ve implemented a few ideas. But the majority of ideas people give me get a big “no” response.
You have No Power – the power to say “no” to great ideas. If you don’t learn to say “no” to great ideas you can wear yourself out. The great thing you have going will become a tiresome chore. You’ll feel so guilty that you can’t implement all the great things you want to.
I want to start a forum. I want to expand the magazine to include youth and kids’ ministry. I want to create a video promo for the magazine. I want to do all these things. But I’m not going to.
And I don’t feel guilty. I don’t feel bad. I feel happy to work on Sunday| magazine the way it is.
What are some good ideas you need to say “no” to?
This is an important realization..however, the Power of No can turn into the Power of Delegation if the right people are available.
Very true!
This is an important realization..however, the Power of No can turn into the Power of Delegation if the right people are available.
Very true!