Note to self: think before saying YES

Close friends hear me say this often,
“I don’t wanna think too much — it gives me a headache.”
The problem with that? I’m actually practicing it.
Done it all throughout this month.

Client: Applying for a loan and we need YTD financials by next week. If we send you the paperwork today can you help us?
Me: Yes, you’ll have your financials by next Wed.

Local college: this is kind of a short notice for teaching a class but…
Me: Yes — it can be done.

Out of town friend: Our trade association would like to invite you…
Me: Yes, I’ll be there

Friends: We are going to a family reunion. Could you take care of our pets?
Me: Yes, of course!

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you know I usually say:
Choose your projects carefully!
Say NO to good projects.
Only then you can say YES to greater opportunities.

Obviously “Dr. Mariana” is not taking her own advice.
Not taking my own advice meant working 14-16 hours days.

Working way too much. Fortunately there were some light moments too.
Provided by Flipper and my coworker.
(I had someone helping me with the financials for a few days.)
Sharing the work load made it easier — I could concentrate on tax work while he processed the data for the financials.

All was going well. We were both working.
Flipper and Sunny were nearby, on their stand.
Suddenly I hear, “Ouch!”
I look up to see Flipper fanning her tail; and whistling — mighty proud of herself.

What had happened: my coworker picked her up. And she nipped his finger.
Not hard — just making sure he knows she’s the boss.
I look at them — now she’s on his arm, cooing like the little fluff ball that she is.
And that was before he brought over her favorite food — pizza.

One thing I do know for sure — if Flipper gets feisty like that it’s because she feels safe.
Otherwise she’ll stay away.

In conclusion:
Things can get really hectic — if we allow it.
Do remember: think before saying YES to any projects.
(And I’ll try to remember that as well : )

Mariana Fieraru

Mariana Fieraru, an Eastern European transplant, fell in love with her new home shortly after landing in New York. She "discovered" pizza! Years later she still loves pizza. And so do her two feathered-kids, Sunny and Flipper

Mariana worked on both, the east and the west coast.
Big or small, each project she worked on helped define the importance of gaining and sustaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex business environment.

Business know-how, love of teaching and writing – all combined in 2006 to form OBI.
Its mission: to make learning fun! And easy.

Through its training, consulting, and publications OBI builds bridges of knowledge to take you from where you are to
where you want to go. Using a mix of serious, informal, analytical, and optimistic approach, OBI truly makes learning fun.

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