One of the biggest challenges I have had as a speaker (besides getting rid of all my “Umms”) has been setting healthy boundaries when it comes to when and where I speak. It is such a total and complete honor to be asked to speak to a group, so I have been really reluctant to say no to anyone. This year, with the book The Husband Project having come out I have spoken over 40 times since January 1st. (I often don’t know what city I am in – thank God I have a navigational system that just tells me where to go.)
While it’s been the right decision to speak a lot to promote the new book, I probably haven’t made the best choice when it comes to a couple of groups I have said yes to in the past. (“You want me to come speak to your group?! For free?! And pay for my own gas?! And provide a breakfast casserole?! I am so there!”)
So this year I have had to commit to being Boundaries Girl – able to set healthy parameters in a single bound!
The problem with that, I have to say no a lot. I hate saying no. You see, I want you to like me. I am the Sally Fields of Christian speakers. But if the author of The Husband Project wants to continue to have a husband, I knew I needed to make a change.
My marketing guru, Rob Eagar, suggested (really, bullied me into) reading The Power of A Positive No by William Ury. This book can at just the right time – and has given me the tools to set great boundaries without all the guilt.
The whole key to this system is to figure out what your BIG YES is, in order to have your Positive No. In my case, my Big Yes is to having a personal life. So it makes it easier when someone calls and wants me to take a gig that doesn’t work for me or my family, to say a good healthy no.
So you are thinking to yourself – “Who cares? I am not a speaker, I don’t need to turn down speaking at a Moms group.” OK – but what about that committee at your kid’s school that the PTA president is trying to guilt you into taking? Or when your boss asks you to take on an additional project that you know is going to require a LOT of time away from your family? Do you know what your Big Yes is?
This has been a very freeing experience for me – to say yes to the right things and no to those things that aren’t healthy.
And don’t worry – this doesn’t mean that I won’t be speaking to Moms groups – but I probably won’t be bringing the casserole…
Hey Kath! Thanks for pairing arms with the Holy Spirit and speaking this truth to my life. 🙂 GREAT advice! I shall read the book and apply it accordingly. Now, excuse me, I’ve got a casserole to make.
I’m several steps behind you so no one is beating my door down yet. For the most part I’m still bringing the casseroles (plus sometimes dessert).
I’m in hot pursuit of “platform building” so my challenge is saying no to some free and low paying writing ops. I love to write and I love to encourage more people so it’s hard to not respond when I get invited to submit something, but I’m learning that I just have to let some of those slide by and not feel like I’ve missed out on a great opportunity.
Thanks for the wise words Kathi.
Diane