Why Learning to Say No is a Must for Your Success

In this powerful episode of Inhale, Exhale, Success, we're tackling an issue that's all too familiar for busy mompreneurs: boundaries—or rather, the lack of them. Are you feeling pulled in every direction, saying yes to everything and everyone, only to find there’s no time left for yourself? Balancing business, family, and personal time feels like a juggling act that’s leaving you overwhelmed, right? Well, you're not alone.

Host Dee Medina dives deep into the reality of boundary setting, sharing the compelling story of a client who reached her breaking point after missing a significant event in her daughter’s life, all because she couldn’t say no to a last-minute client meeting. Sound relatable? This episode unpacks the emotional toll of lacking boundaries and shows you the steps to take control of your time and energy.

You'll learn five actionable strategies to set boundaries that stick, reclaim your time, and create a structure that supports both your business and well-being. Discover how to protect your non-negotiables, say no without guilt, and ensure you’re showing up fully present for both your clients and your family. It’s time to invest in yourself and build a life that not only works for your business but for you as a whole. Tune in and take the first step toward setting boundaries that lead to success, without the burnout.

Join us as we breathe, find balance, and build a thriving business together. Success starts when you take a moment to breathe and believe in yourself!

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**Disclaimer:** This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for any mental health concerns.

Transcript

Do you ever feel like you're constantly being pulled in a hundred million directions, saying yes to everything and everyone, but then you realize that you have no time left for yourself? Are you finding it hard to balance your business, family, and personal time, and wondering if you'll ever feel like you can gain control again? If you've ever struggled, or are currently struggling, with setting boundaries, then this episode is just what you need.

Welcome to the Inhale, Exhale, Success Podcast, where we help women entrepreneurs create a life they love, feel confident in their body, and build a business without burning out by equipping them with the best tools, strategies, and my proven formula. Every businesswoman must have. My name is Dee Medina. Let's get started and be successful together.

Hola hola, welcome back to another episode! Today, we're going to talk about a topic that's absolutely essential for maintaining both your business and your sanity, and that thing is *boundaries*. Yes, we all know that we need boundaries, but what I have found—and what I've personally experienced—is that they often are the first things to slip when your life gets busy. As entrepreneurs, especially as mompreneurs, it's so easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything for everyone. You want to be there for your clients, your family, your friends, and then before you know it, there's no time left for yourself. 

Let me know if you can relate to my client. When she came to me, she was running a successful online business, but she was completely overwhelmed. She had reached her breaking point. For her, it was when she missed an event that was really important to her daughter because she was stuck in a last-minute client meeting that just ran over time. When she was finally able to get to the venue, she had missed the entire performance and saw the disappointment and sadness in her daughter's face. That was the moment she realized something needed to change. She didn't want to choose between being a successful entrepreneur and also being a present mom, but she also knew that she couldn't keep going the way she was.

I asked her for some insight to really know the details of what her day looked like. She told me she was answering client emails at all hours, taking calls during family dinners, and saying yes to every opportunity that came her way—even if it didn't align with her goals, which just blew my mind. Her ideal clients were estheticians, yet she was at events like wine tastings. So, on the outside, it looked like she had it all together. Her business was thriving, she was in demand, and she was making good money. But on the inside, she was burnt out, exhausted, and just feeling like she was losing control of her life, overwhelmed with mom guilt and shame.

When we started working together, we helped her reclaim her time and energy, not just for her family, but for herself. We identified what the non-negotiables were for her, like family dinners, self-care routines, and focused work hours. Then, we put clear boundaries in place to protect those things. Trust me, when you've let your boundaries slide, or if you don't have any at all, it can be nerve-wracking to set them. At first, she was nervous about setting these boundaries because she worried her clients might see her as less dedicated or that she would miss out on opportunities. But as she started to implement them, something amazing happened. This has happened to me personally as well: instead of losing clients or opportunities, you actually become more effective and more respected. Your clients begin to respect your time when you respect your time. You'll be able to show up more fully, more focused, and more energized in both your business and your personal life.

Learning to set boundaries isn't about saying no to others; it's about saying yes to yourself and the things that truly matter to you. By setting these boundaries, you don't just prevent burnout; you also create a business and a life that supports your well-being and allows you to thrive.

I'm going to share with you the five strategies we worked on in my 1-on-1 sessions. This is how you can start setting boundaries—and boundaries that stick.

First, identify your non-negotiables. Start by figuring out what's most important to you. This could be time with your family, self-care, focused work hours, or even just a few minutes of quiet time each day. Whatever it is, make it a non-negotiable part of your routine. What are the things in your life that, if you neglect them, will lead to stress and burnout? Are you making those things a priority?

Second, you need to learn how to say no. This is one of the hardest things to do, especially as a mom, especially when you're used to saying yes to everything and everyone. But I want you to understand that saying no isn't about being selfish—it's about prioritizing what truly matters. Practice saying no to things that don't align with your goals or that drain your energy. As Latinas, we often say yes to a lot of things. How often do you say things out of obligation rather than genuine desire? What would happen if you said no more often?

Third, I want you to communicate clearly. Boundaries are only effective if others know about them. Whether it's setting specific work hours, letting your clients know when you're available, or telling family members when you need uninterrupted time, clear communication is key to setting boundaries. Are you being clear with others about your boundaries, or do you expect them to just understand? How can you communicate your needs more effectively going forward?

Fourth, protect your time. Block out time on your calendar for your non-negotiables, treat them as sacred, and follow through with them. That can mean no meetings, no distractions, and no last-minute changes. By understanding that your time is important, you avoid burnout because you're staying focused on what really matters to you and not scrambling all over the place. So, how much time is truly yours, and what steps can you take to better protect it?

The last and final step is to be consistent. Once you set a boundary, you need to stick to it. Consistency builds trust within yourself and others. Yes, it might be uncomfortable at first, especially if you've never really set a boundary before. But the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Are there boundaries you've set in the past that you've struggled to maintain? If so, what makes it difficult for you to be consistent, and how can you address that?

If you find it challenging to maintain your boundaries or if you're unsure where to start, I'd love to help you get clear on what really matters and how to protect it. Reach out to me directly through the link in my show notes, and let's have a conversation about how we can work together to create a structure that supports you and your business, as well as your overall well-being.

I hope that the story I shared today serves as a powerful reminder that setting boundaries isn't about being less available or less dedicated—it's about creating a structure that allows you to be your best self in both your business and your personal life. Remember, when you're setting healthy boundaries, you're not just protecting your time; you're investing in your long-term success and well-being.

I'm wishing you so much strength as you continue on your journey to implementing boundaries. I'll see you on the next episode.

Well, that does it for today's episode. Thank you so much for joining us on the Inhale, Exhale, Success Podcast. If you enjoyed today's topic, I'd love for you to subscribe so you don't miss out on other valuable discussions, along with answering questions directly from busy women like you who are looking for ways to make life, business, and weight loss easy. I look forward to having you here with us again next week. And remember, my friend, success begins when you take a moment to breathe, find your balance, and believe in yourself.