Saying Yes is Killing Your Business (And Here’s How to Fix It)
Jan 14, 2025
Struggling to balance personal growth while running a home care business?
I had the honor of joining David Knack on the Home Care Hindsight podcast, and let me tell you—it was as insightful as it was fun! We laughed a lot, shared stories, and had a fantastic time recording this episode.
Here’s the problem: as home care leaders, we often say yes to too much—sacrificing our own well-being in the process. I know because I’ve been there. Saying yes to the wrong things left me overwhelmed and out of alignment with my goals.
In this episode, I share how learning to say no transformed my approach to business and life. We dive into the “Care Paradox,” explore strategies to prevent burnout, and discuss actionable tips for using tools like LinkedIn and AI to grow your home care agency without losing focus on what matters most.
This episode is packed with laughs, lessons, and solutions to help you create balance and intentionality in your life and business.
The Cost of Saying Yes: My Personal Story
In 2017, I was just getting started. I had purchased my first DSLR camera—a huge investment for me at the time—and was excited to start building my business. Then came an offer: $1,000 to shoot a dance recital in New York.
I said yes, even though I knew I wasn’t qualified. My background was in marketing and business videos, not live event photography. But the dollar signs blinded me. "I’ll figure it out," I thought.
The result? A disaster. The video was out of focus, I barely took any photos, and the client was so unhappy she threatened to sue me. I spent the entire day stressed and scrambling, only to walk away with nothing but regret.
Lesson #1: Saying Yes for the Money is Never Worth It
Opportunities that don’t align with your skills or goals often cost more than they’re worth. If something feels like a bad fit, trust your instincts.
Lesson #2: A Yes to One Thing is a No to Something Else
When I said yes to this gig, I said no to my comfort zone, my expertise, and my peace of mind. Every yes takes resources—time, energy, focus—that could be better spent elsewhere.
The Care Paradox: Why Home Care Owners Struggle with Boundaries
This isn’t just my story. It’s a trap many business owners fall into, particularly in home care. I call it The Care Paradox.
Home care owners and caregivers are inherently caring people. They’re wired to say yes because they genuinely want to help others. But when you’re constantly saying yes to every request, you neglect the one person who needs care the most—you.
What Happens When You Say Yes Too Much
- Burnout: You can’t give your best to others when you’re running on empty.
- Missed Opportunities: Saying yes to low-priority tasks keeps you from focusing on high-value opportunities.
- Inconsistent Growth: When your actions don’t align with your goals, your business stagnates.
Why Saying No is a Superpower
One of the best compliments I’ve ever received came from a lawyer friend who told me, “You’re really good at saying no.” It wasn’t something I’d even realized was a skill, but it’s made all the difference in my business.
How to Say No with Intention
- Clarify Your Goals: Know what you’re working toward. If an opportunity doesn’t align, it’s a no.
- Evaluate the ROI: Ask yourself, “Does this contribute to my long-term vision?” If not, let it go.
- Delegate or Refer: Not every opportunity requires your personal involvement. Refer smaller cases or tasks to others.
Maximizing Impact in Business and Life
Saying no isn’t about being selfish—it’s about being strategic. When you focus on the right opportunities, you position yourself to make a greater impact.
Practical Tips for Staying Focused
- Streamline Your Services: Offer fewer, high-value services that align with your expertise.
- Automate and Delegate: Free up your time by automating tasks or outsourcing work.
- Work Backwards from Your Goals: Identify where you want to be, then reverse-engineer the steps to get there.
The LinkedIn Opportunity: Underutilized and Overlooked
Want to know one of the biggest missed opportunities in home care? LinkedIn. I’m still shocked at how many home care owners don’t use it effectively.
Why LinkedIn Matters
- Relationship Building: Home care is all about connections, and LinkedIn is the perfect platform for networking with referral partners.
- Targeted Recruitment: The best caregivers are on LinkedIn, and a strategic approach can help you recruit top talent.
- Authentic Branding: Share your story, build trust, and differentiate yourself from competitors.
AI and Authenticity: A Word of Caution
While AI tools can streamline workflows, they can also backfire if used poorly. Authenticity is everything, especially on platforms like LinkedIn.
How to Use AI the Right Way
- Avoid generic, emoji-filled content that screams “AI-generated.”
- Use AI for efficiency (e.g., idea generation) but ensure your voice shines through.
- Prioritize genuine interactions—authenticity always wins.
Final Thoughts: What Will You Say Yes To?
At the end of the day, your yeses and nos shape your success. Being intentional about your decisions isn’t just about protecting your time—it’s about aligning every action with your goals.
Take a moment to reflect. What are you saying yes to that isn’t serving you? And what could you achieve if you said yes to the right things instead?
The choice is yours. Let’s grow together.
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