This Week’s ABC…

Advice of the Week: How I learned to say no and disconnect—and why it changed everything.Breakthrough Recommendation: A video that will empower you to say no.Challenge: One small change to start the process of unplugging this week.

Advice of the Week: Why saying NO is key to better leadership

It’s easy to say yes to anything and become distracted. I see people do it all the time (myself included).

Remember this:

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

You can’t.

When you’re constantly plugged in, you lose perspective.

You make rushed decisions, miss critical insights, and become reactive instead of strategic.

And the worst part?

You become exhausted, frustrated, and lose your creative edge.

So how do you actually disconnect and say no?

1. **Set boundaries with your time.**Block off non-negotiable time for yourself, even if it’s just an hour. This is sacred time where you step away from work to recharge—by yourself, with your family, with your partner, with your dogs, whatever you need. Set up a transition from work-life to home-life.
2. **Delegate and trust your team.**If you’re holding onto everything because you think you have to, stop. Let your team take ownership of their work and give them the space to succeed (and yes, fail and learn).
3. **Shift your mindset.**Realize that productivity doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes, it means doing less but doing it better. Give yourself permission to disconnect. There will always be more work. It’ll be there when you’re back.w

I have a saying:

Because your batteries will always need recharging… so you might as well go hard at that just like you go hard at work.

Why this works:

When you disconnect, you return with clarity.

You see the big picture.

You become a more thoughtful, effective leader because you’re not running on empty.

And guess what? Your team thrives too.

They’re less likely to burn out when they see you leading by example.

Saying yes too often means saying **NO to what truly matters.**Saying no more often means saying YES to what truly matters.

Try hard, every single day, at everything - even relaxing.# Breakthrough Recommendation: The Power of Saying No – TED Talk by Kenny Nguyen

If you’ve ever struggled to balance too many commitments and felt like you were constantly stretched thin, Kenny Nguyen’s TED Talk will resonate deeply.

He walks you through how the word**“no”** can be your most powerful tool for staying focused and achieving clarity in both work and life.

Nguyen shares personal stories of how always saying “yes” led him down a path of burnout and regret.

The turning point?

Learning to say “no” and realizing that it opened doors for better opportunities and more intentional focus on what truly mattered.

Why It’s Awesome:

Saying No leads to…

1. Reduced Burnout: Constantly saying “yes” leads to stress and exhaustion. Learning to say “no” helps you preserve your energy.
2. Sharpened Focus: It allows you to prioritize what’s truly important and cut through the noise.
3. Higher Confidence: Saying “no” empowers you to make decisions that align with your long-term goals, making you feel in control of your own direction.

My Favorite Quotes:

I love this quote because It perfectly encapsulates the danger of saying yes to everything and why we need boundaries.

How Can You Say No More Effectively?

1. They feel bad to say no
2. They feel like they’re letting somebody down
3. They feel like they’re missing out

The reality is that saying “NO” is a skills. You can build that skill, just like any other.

Try this: “Hey that sounds really interesting, let me think about it and get back to you.”This talk goes against the grain of the “always on” culture by normalizing saying “no”. **“The more I said yes, the more I lost myself.”**I love it for that reason.

I’ve been there too—lost amongst a sea of yes’s.

Establish Non-Negotiable Boundaries In Your Schedule

This makes it easier to say no when things conflict.

Take your workout schedule, your time with family, etc. and put them in your calendar.

The work will be there, your pet/kid/partner won’t.