Learning To Say No Is Important If You Want To Accomplish Anything

When you're a creative type, people seem to automatically jump to the conclusion that your talents are for hire:

"You're a writer? Oh, you must be an editor/writing coach for hire who can help me with the book I've been meaning to write."

"You're a singer? You must be a vocal coach for hire who can help my son get the lead spot in the glee club at school."

"You're a filmmaker? You must be a videographer for hire who can come film my daughter's sweet 16 party."

Can you imagine if someone approached Terry McMillan, Aretha Franklin or Spike Lee this way? They'd be so busy taking on freelance work and doing favors for people that they'd never have time to write best-sellers such as Waiting to Exhale, record masterpieces like "Respect," or make important films like Do the Right Thing. 

While it's tempting to say "yes" to people's requests to use your talents for their own purposes, either to be "nice," make some extra money and/or pad your portfolio, at some point you have to learn to prioritize your own projects or you'll never get anything done. 

Sometimes you've got to tell people, like the title of legendary R&B singer Bettye LaVette's acclaimed 2005 album, "Sorry, but I've got my own hell to raise."