Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.Mother’s Day is upon us (this Sunday, in case you’ve forgotten) and I hope you have fond memories of Mom and a pleasant relationship with her.

If you’ve lost yours, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

My mother is an amazing woman. She came from nothing; hand-me-down everything complete with holes in her shoes that she wore to school.

She even had to water down her milk because it was too expensive to keep buying gallon after gallon.

She brought me into this world when she was 18 years young and made sure to discipline me. Mom taught me how to work hard and to value the dollar.

For her final 13 years of employment she worked at a thankless job. She’d wake up every day at 3am to squeeze out every ounce of overtime they’d allow. Then she’d be welcomed home by my brother and me fighting and rebelling but she would still selflessly prepare dinner and talk about our day with us.

There were nights that mom wouldn’t eat dinner just so we’d have larger servings. My brother, Alex, and I didn’t find this out until our adult lives.

Mom is now retired at only 47 years old. She’s comfortable and travels with my step-father who is also retired. They just returned from a week in Cancun; I’m jealous Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.

My mother always wanted the best for me. She always wanted me to have more than she did (most parents do). But she still knew when to say “no.”

Saying “no” is something we have to learn to do in business. Here’s the way i see it.

Say “No”

There are times when you’re firing on all 12 cylinders and tearing up the track. You feel unstoppable as your weeks pass by in a blur. But you continue to take on more work and stress yourself out.

Your relationships wither.

Your health wanes.

Say “No”

Sometimes you get so caught up in “yes” and “sure, I can do that” that you become blind. You become blind to other opportunities and blind to things you could be improving.

You don’t see the disservice you’re doing your clients or your own business as your creativity dries up and overwhelm takes over.

You’re even blind to the relationships in your life that should be top priority.

Why?

Because you’re watching one foot step in front of the other. You aren’t looking up or leaving yourself enough time to prevent walking right into a wall.

Saying “no” allows you the opportunity to see what’s coming ahead (so you avoid hitting those walls)!

Learn to say, “no,” like Mom did years ago.

Enjoy the holiday (say “yes”)

If giving Mom a card and spending time with her isn’t going to happen at least set aside time for yourself. Say “no” to over-working and show someone, anyone, appreciation this weekend.

Life shouldn’t be exclusively about work.

Photo: emerson12