Successful People Say No More Often

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Recently, someone approached me with a proposal: "Let's start a company together and become partners." I politely declined.

After I walked away, I remembered how, in the past, I would jump at almost any business opportunity. If someone suggested starting a business or working on an idea, I’d be immediately excited and say yes. I even pitched my own ideas to others who had little experience or motivation. Time and again, I was disappointed. I partnered with the wrong people, too eager to believe that just one attempt would finally work.

Now, I understand how limited my time and attention are, and how each "yes" is a "no" to something else. So, I say no far more often.

As Warren Buffet said: "The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything."

When you realize the scarcity of your time and attention, when you understand your worth, and especially when you grasp the concept of opportunity cost, you’ll find yourself saying no more frequently.

We live in what’s called the attention economy. Our attention is currency, with companies competing to capture and hold it. In this landscape, saying no has become more crucial than ever. Being selective about how you spend your time isn’t just a strategy; it’s essential.

I used to think I could handle multiple projects at once, but I’ve come to see that divided attention leads to divided results. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and I won’t let anyone drain my focus unless it truly benefits me.

My message today:** say no more often than yes—that’s the real cheat code to success.** Hope this message resonates with you.