Saying NO to good things

Just received the work from a client.
It seems like a mountain of paperwork. It’s amazing how he was able to fit everything in one fat package!
Soon I’ll head out to an appointment; but I have few minutes so I’m taking a quick “inventory” of the paperwork.

Just then the phone rings.
I answered it and continue sorting the papers on my desk.
“Is this Marina”, asks a man’s voice.
(Marina?! Obviously someone not familiar with my name.)

A “tax doctor” with terrible bedside manners
“What can I do for you?” is my short, irritated reply.
“Where are you guys located?” is the next question coming from the guy.

Now my irritation went up several notches.
And so did my voice.
“What Can I Do For You?!” I asked.
“I got your name from Ms. A,” the voice says.
He continues, “Mr. B also said you are the right person to come for help; they both said you are smart and can help with my taxes.”

Just great!
I know the two people he mentioned: one is working with some of the biggest dairies in the area.
The other is a manager at an outfit where many contractors go to buy their work supplies.

With much more civility in my voice, I continue the phone conversation; and tell him I don’t take any new tax clients at this time.
(For a split second I did consider breaking my self-imposed rule and taking him as client.
After all we did start on the right foot: me yelling and him telling me I’m smart.)

I gave my caller the name and number of an experienced tax professional; and I thanked him for calling.

(Note to self: answer the phone in a much friendlier manner! And I did.
For several days.
I would be surprised if I’m not on the top of the “call-back list” of all the sales people that called.)

Why say NO to good ideas and projects?
Getting a new client is obviously a good thing. Then why say NO?
Time. I have several work projects running simultaneously — and can’t add anything else to the schedule.

We all have so many requests for our time: family, work, volunteering in the community.
A never ending list of projects.

We need to learn to prioritize. And focus our efforts where it’s most needed.
Where it has the most impact.

“We need to learn the slow ‘yes’ and the quick ‘no’.”
Tom Friel

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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