| As professionals we are conditioned to never say no to clients, but here are some good reasons to add this word to your vocabulary.
The fear of no. It's what keeps us up at night. tossing and turning, counting megapixels that leap over our beds like out-of-focus sheep. There are two aspects to the fear of no. One we have little control over. For example, when our clients or bosses say no to our ideas, our projects, or even to using us on a production that would be so sweet to include on future résumé reels.
The second fear of no is the one we control ourselves. It is the hardest fear of all to conquer. It's the ability, or should I say willingness, of us as professionals to say no — saying no to a boss or client who wants to make ludicrous changes in the video you slaved over, saying no to working overtime because your kid's playing her first varsity soccer game, or saying no to a project because it doesn't fit into your personal or political vision.
The very thought of turning down work sends shivers down my spine, like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard. We are conditioned throughout our professional lives not to say no, so when we have the courage to do so it brings on anxiety that may take years of therapy to reverse. There are so many negative ramifications to saying no. It is sobering to think of them all. You may never be given the opportunity to work for that client again. The boss may think you're being contrary. Or your whole world might collapse and go shooting through the universe like a runaway balloon let loose at a kid's birthday party.
However, there are times when you need to stand tall, plant your feet firmly in the equipment room, and utter that tiny little word: no. Some projects are easy to say no to, such as a recruitment video for the John Birch Society. But what about the borderline projects that seem neither right nor wrong politically, but you just don't want to do them at this stage of your life?
A case in point is a recent project I was bidding on with a prospective new client. Our first telephone conversation was rosy and serene, with promises of huge budgets, ample shooting days, and plenty of gourmet craft services. Soon the budgets were cut, the top-name talent became local radio disc jockeys, and the caviar melted into burgers and fries.
As a topper, the client wanted me to guarantee Emmy Award-winning performances from this non-talent. I began to get cold feet, but that fear of no was hanging over my left shoulder, pushing me to say yes. I thought long and hard about the project, and in the end I knew truth would triumph. Yes, I needed the work, but my need for peace of mind was greater. I forced myself to utter that fateful word: no. Truth be told, the “o” of no did stick in my throat at first. Of course, the client was outraged and mumbled under her breath that I would never work on this planet again. An idle threat I hoped, but that night I got a great night's sleep, my pixel count of fuzzy sheep ending shortly after I hit the pillow.
There are no hard-and-fast rules about when you can or can't say no. You really have to weigh the pros and cons of each situation, and then go with what your heart is telling you is right. But trust me, sometimes saying yes can do more harm than saying no, both to your psyche and your pocketbook. So add no to your vocabulary, but try not to use it too often.
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