Learn To Say No To Avoid Scheduling Nightmares

We’ve all been there before. We’ve got a doctor’s appointment, a ballet lesson, and an appointment with the mechanic on the same day. I forgot to mention that all three are in opposite directions. Oh yeah and you’ve got a project due in six hours which you have not started on. If this is a familiar scenario to you, you will want to take some time to read this article. This article explains ways you can achieve a proper work life balance while you take care of a family and run a business or work a job.

Woman working and holding a baby

Say No In Your Business

It is quite tempting to take on every project that comes our way. After all we are in business to make money, right? However every project might not be the best fit for you and your family. If you have a bunch of energetic kids at home, taking on a project that requires total quiet may not be a good idea. If you work a job during the day and your potential client wants you to be available during regular business hours you may have to turn that project down. If your client wants you to work during your normally scheduled family time, you may have to keep looking.You will be much more productive when you work with clients that fit your lifestyle. After all, one of the reasons you decided to go into business for yourself was so you could spend more time with your family, right? Since you are the business owner, you get to choose what you work on. It is okay to turn some projects down that are not a good fit.

Say No To Family Members

This can be quite tricky. I know you have that one family member that is always calling on you to run errands. They think that just because you work from home, you can run all over town doing stuff for them while they are at work. One way to alleviate this type of stress is to say no to things that you simply can’t do. If you’re really busy and can’t be interrupted consider letting that call go to voice mail and picking up when you are finished with whatever task you are trying to complete.Some people really don’t understand that working from home has to be treated like a business instead of a hobby. You have to actually do some work in order to make money from it and you can’t do that if you are running around town on someone else’s behalf. Now I’m not suggesting that you NEVER help a family member. However, you have to know when to help and when to say no. If saying yes will hinder your business, then you have to say no until you get to a point where your business can run itself.It can be tough to say no to people, especially when you are used to being the go to person in your family or amongst your friends. However, you must have time to take care of yourself and your business. Learning how to say no is one of the most important skills you will learn on this journey to a proper work life balance.