Hell Yeah (or No)

If you’re anything like me, running a small business can be a double-edged sword.

You’ve got total freedom – which is amazing. But also… you’ve got total freedom. And that can be overwhelming. Every week brings a new idea, a new opportunity, a new “maybe we should”.

It’s easy to get distracted, usually by the ‘shiny new thing’. I know I do.

But one thing that’s helped me recently is this simple idea from Derek Sivers:

If it’s not a HELL YEAH, it’s a no.

Not “maybe.” Not “let’s give it a go and see.”

Just… no.

Because if I’m not all in, chances are I won’t give it the energy it needs. Or I simply won’t have the focus to do a good job. And for me, that often ends up in frustration or half-finished work.

Mark and I have been running Candle Digital for nine years now. And honestly, the hardest part isn’t figuring out what to do next.

It’s deciding what to do.

Lately, here’s what I’ve been saying hell yeah to:

• Clients who want high-impact, long-term results (and not quick wins)
• Drilling into what really makes me tick personally and aligning this with the business plans
• Exploring how AI can genuinely enhance what experts do – not just automate what they already do
• Spending more time in conversation with people, rather than in my own head
• Walking up Scafell Pike in September
• Joining the marketing committee of the local community foundation

And what I’ve been saying no to:

• New clients that don’t align with our values – even if the project is financially lucrative
• Following gurus who suggest posting on LinkedIn every day
• Furthering a brilliant (but ultimately distracting) new business idea
• Trying to keep up with every new AI use case

That’s where I’m at.

But I’m curious – how do you stay focused?

What helps you say no?