The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms

114. An Example of Saying No When You Want to Say Yes

Sep 29, 2025

Saying no can be tough, especially to tempting opportunities. A personal story highlights the importance of prioritizing family time over potential business gains. Evaluating the true cost of commitments is crucial, as is recognizing the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets. The episode emphasizes the power of pausing before making decisions and how saying no can reinforce boundaries and personal integrity. Plus, there’s a twist of generosity as a colleague is recommended for the opportunity, proving collaboration can flourish alongside boundaries.

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ANECDOTE

Vacation Interruption By A Big Media Ask

Kelly Nolan was on family vacation in Colorado when she received a major in-studio interview invite mid-trip.
She initially declined the in-person option because she was out of town and later considered remote before pausing.

ANECDOTE

Saying No To Remote When It Costs Presence

Kelly paused when offered a remote Zoom option despite initial enthusiasm and a clear calendar.
She listed concerns like tech checks, prep time, and family logistics that would ripple into her vacation.

ADVICE

Pause And Map The Ripple Effects

Pause before committing to opportunities and map the hidden prep, logistics, and recovery time.
Visually block those ripple-effect hours on your calendar to make more informed decisions.

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Saying no is rarely easy — especially when the opportunity is something you really want to say yes to. In this episode, I share a personal example of when I turned down a big media opportunity that landed right in the middle of my family’s annual Colorado trip.

On paper, I was technically available. My husband could’ve watched the kids, my calendar was clear, and the opportunity would’ve been great for my business. But in practice? Saying yes would have derailed my ability to truly unplug, be present with my family, and recharge.

In this episode, I walk you through:

The ripple effects of saying yes — from prep time and tech checks to energy recovery afterward.
Why the pause is the most powerful tool when you’re tempted to say yes too quickly.
How to evaluate the true cost of opportunities beyond the calendar block they appear to take.
The difference between scarcity thinking (“this may never come again”) and embracing a more abundance mindset (even if a little woo).
Why protecting vacation time, family time, and rest can sometimes matter more than visibility opportunities.
How saying no doesn’t just protect you — it also builds strength, clarity, and integrity.

I also share how I reframed the “no” by connecting the opportunity with another woman in my field. It reminded me that collaboration, generosity, and boundaries can all exist together.

If you ever feel guilty or second-guess yourself when saying no — especially to exciting opportunities — this episode might help you see the full picture and feel more confident in your decision-making.

Check out my free 5-day time blocking program at kellynolan.com/refresh to practice visually mapping out ripple effects before you commit. And if you’re ready to go deeper, enrollment for the Bright Method 10-week program opens October 3rd. More info on both below.

Links you might enjoy:

🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm.

📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time.

✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.