I hosted a finance expert at Meshboc (my office) 2 weeks ago on the theme- Developing Financial Intelligence. He is a Dr of humanity and a hold B.A in international business and leadership (first-class Hons) from the University of East London. He is among my blockchain students that graduated some months back. We were conversing after a meeting and he shared what happened in one of his houses and how he advised his tenants. Then I considered him “extremely wise”. I asked him if he could host events on finance-related topics in my office at Meshboc and he agreed.
The first event I hosted was two weeks ago. I wrapped it around blockchain, and we featured him on - Developing Financial Intelligence. I listened to him throughout the event. The hall bubbled. The attendees enjoyed his session. He mentioned many important things about finance but what I have been holding is - LEARN TO SAY NO.
Saying no is a problem for many people. Not doing something will always be faster than doing it. Not spending on something will give you more money to invest.
We often say yes to things we don’t want to do, and then we grumble about doing them. People ask for help, we say yes, then after a few days we get busy and fulfilling becomes trouble.
Most times we say yes to things because we don’t want to be seen as a bad person, arrogant or rude. Saying no could be hard to some people in our life because of our relationship with them and how they are seeing us.
Just months ago, I often received urgent calls from someone I respect a lot for financial help. I always render. He asked for 4 to 5 times within a short period and I did. I was helping and feeling the heat in me. One day, he called again, and I gave little excuses. He could not believe I said no, and he stopped communicating with me. I don’t know if he is angry or not, but I am not just a bank to keep collecting money from.
I am not saying we should not be helpful, but we must always check for the magnitude of the yes before saying it. Because saying yes is an enormous responsibility and saying no is simply a decision. Saying no is an important skill we must all develop. I can render any help, but it is important to check and know the factors in saying yes.
Improving your no
Improving your no simply means you consider no to every request before yes and it doesn’t mean you will stop saying yes, but you will check all factors before saying Yes. I went on a short outing with my friend and his girlfriend. The lady shopped and shopped for his little bro in the pocket of this young man. He could not say no, but his face showed no. How hard is saying no?
We should always be helpful to people, but we should know that nothing is as useless as spending time and money on things that do not matter or important.
Thanks for reading!