Every time you say “yes” to something, you’re also saying “no” to something else. It’s a simple truth, but one that’s easy to overlook. Whether it’s in business, property investment, or personal life, the decisions we make come with hidden trade-offs. In this article, I want to explore how saying “yes” can shape our lives in unexpected ways, and how being mindful of those choices can help you achieve your long-term goals.
The Yes/No Dilemma
We’re all faced with opportunities and decisions every day. Should I take on that new project? Should I invest in this property? Should I attend that networking event? It’s easy to say yes to things that seem beneficial on the surface, but every yes has a cost. When you say yes to one thing, you’re inevitably saying no to something else, whether it’s your time, energy, or focus.
So, ask yourself: What are you currently saying yes to that’s actually hindering you? Do you ever take the time to really assess a commitment or opportunity before saying yes? These are important questions to reflect on if you want to keep your focus aligned with your true goals.
In my own journey, I was always told that you needed to say yes to everything to get along in your career and life. But the truth is, when you say yes to too many things, you end up being a busy fool. These days, I’ll teach my children to be open to new opportunities, to be ready to work hard, but also to be clear on what really moves them forward. If a yes isn’t a “hell yes,” then perhaps it’s a no.
Socially, we find it difficult to say no because we’re conditioned to say yes to everyone else, except the most important person—which is ourselves.
“When you say yes to others, make sure you are not saying no to yourself.” — Paulo Coelho
Property Investment: Every Yes Comes with a No
In property investment, saying yes to a new opportunity may sound exciting, but it’s essential to think about what you’re giving up. Are you trading time that could be spent on another project? Are you saying no to rest, family, or something equally important? Property investment requires focus and strategic thinking, and every decision you make should align with your long-term goals.
Let me share a personal story. When I first started investing in property, I borrowed money from private investors. I gave them a monthly return and also allowed them to see how I was using their money. This built trust, and eventually, some of these investors asked me to invest for them as well. Naturally, I said yes, as it was a great opportunity to continue buying, refurbishing, and letting properties, which I loved doing.
But after a few years, I realised something important: I had been saying yes to working on other people’s properties, but I had stopped focusing on building my own portfolio. My yes to managing investments for others meant saying no to my own long-term goals. So, I made the tough decision to stop managing investments for others and focus on building my own assets for the future. It didn’t make sense to a lot of people at the time, because I was giving up immediate income. But I knew I needed to say no to short-term gains to achieve my long-term vision.
What about you? What are your goals, and what do you need to say no to in order to hit them?
The Power of No: A Lesson from Steve Jobs
One of the best examples of the power of saying no comes from Steve Jobs. When he returned to Apple in the late ’90s, the company was all over the place. They had products for everything, and they were losing focus. So what did Jobs do? He slashed about 70% of Apple’s product line. It seemed drastic, but he knew that trying to do everything was exactly why Apple was struggling.
By cutting down on all the excess, he allowed Apple to focus on just a few key products—like the iMac, which became a huge success. Saying no to dozens of distractions gave Apple the focus it needed to make the iPod, the iPhone, and everything else that followed.
Steve Jobs knew the value of focus. He even gave similar (brutal) advice to Mark Parker, the CEO of Nike. In a conversation, Jobs famously told him, “Nike makes some of the best products in the world, but you also make a lot of crap. Just get rid of the crap, and focus on the good stuff.”
It’s simple, but it’s genius. Sometimes, it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing less, but doing it really well.
“Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” — Steve Jobs
This same principle applies to property investment and business. It’s tempting to say yes to every opportunity, every project, or every new idea. But in reality, saying yes to too much is often the reason why we end up feeling stretched too thin. Sometimes, the best decision is to cut the rubbish and focus on what’s truly moving the needle toward your goals.
Saying No in Your Personal Life: Making Room for What Matters
The same is true in our personal lives. Sometimes, we need to de-clutter to make space for what truly matters. Take friendships, for example. We all have relationships that at one point served us well, but sometimes, we outgrow people. And that’s okay. Holding on to friendships that no longer serve us can leave us feeling weighed down and unable to create room for new, meaningful connections.
Just like in business, focusing on the quality of relationships rather than the quantity can be the key to a more fulfilling life. Saying no to relationships that no longer align with who you are allows space for new relationships and opportunities to come in.
And don’t forget to ask yourself: How often are you saying yes just to please other people? What would change if you stopped saying yes to everyone else and started focusing on what truly matters to you?
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn
Whether it’s cutting distractions in business or re-evaluating your personal life, learning to say no opens up room for the things that really matter.
The Key: Aligning Your Yeses with Your Goals
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that your “yeses” should always align with your long-term vision. It’s tempting to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but when you look closely, you’ll see that some yeses are actually pulling you away from your true priorities.
In property investment, business, or life, clarity is key. What are you working toward? Every decision should move you closer to your goals, not distract you from them.
“By saying no, you have time to focus on your priorities and do your best work.” — Steve Jobs
What’s Next?
Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve said yes to recently. Are your yeses moving you toward your goals, or are they pulling you away from what really matters? If you’re ready to start making more mindful decisions in your property investment journey, download my Property Evaluation Checklist or book a call with me to discuss how to align your choices with your long-term vision. Say yes to joining my community, where you’ll receive tips, insights, and support to help you focus on the right opportunities and take action. It’s time to start saying yes to the right opportunities.
Kelly Lemon
