I Said No
The 3P’s in Action: Why I Said No to a Great Project
I’m grateful when any new project inquiry comes my way. I still get a tinge of excitement knowing someone chose me. But I can’t say yes to everything. I have to be deliberate with the projects I take on. Most of the time, that means saying no.
The part of me that wants to say yes to everything is always there, but I’ve learned to fight it with my 3P’s.
The 3P’s—People, Project, and Profit—are my filter. They help me focus on the work where I can have the most impact for my clients while staying true to the kind of work I want to do.
Here’s how it works with a recent inquiry.
PEOPLE
Prestigious, high-end contractor
Long history of working together
I know and like the project manager
Currently collaborating with this company on another project
Strong potential for future work as these relationships continue to develop
PROJECT
Multiple fireplaces and stone veneer on a newly built home
Located in a beautiful place
Only twenty-five minutes from home (a welcomed change from all the driving I’ve been doing lately)
PROFIT
This would be a very well-paying project
It checks a lot of boxes. So why was it an easy no?
From the outside, this might seem like a dream project for a stoneworker. And it is a great project. For somebody. But not for me. It only checks two out of three boxes, and that’s why it’s a no.
The people are great. The money is great, too. And this is why saying no can be so hard. Turning down the chance to work with a great company and make good money? That feels nuts.
But the work itself—the project—isn’t for me. I don’t do fireplaces or veneer anymore. If I said yes to this, I’d be doing a disservice to the contractor, the client, and myself. When your heart isn’t in it, the work suffers. The client and contractor deserve to work with someone fully invested in this type of project. That’s who will do the best work, not someone climbing onto the roof wishing they’d said no.
By saying no, I leave room for the projects I’m truly excited about. Saying no creates space for the kind of work I love to do, the work where I can give my best.
Sometimes no is the most positive thing you can say.
This filter helps remind me of that.
Have you ever taken on projects you wished you’d said no to? Does it happen again and again? Are you doing anything about it?