The $100 MBA Show: MBA2667

Why I Never Say Yes To Anything Immediately

Host: Omar Zenhom
Date: August 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this focused, practical solo lesson, host Omar Zenhom shares why he never says yes to anything immediately—a core practice that’s protected his time, business, relationships, and well-being over two decades as an entrepreneur. Omar dives into the hidden (and massive) cost of an impulsive “yes”, the transformative power of deliberate decision-making, and the exact script he uses to create space before committing. Listeners receive actionable advice for using no as a tool for focus, reliability, and respecting your own time.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The True Cost of Saying Yes

[02:38]

• Saying yes without reflection leads to sacrificing your most valuable asset: your time.
  • “Time is your most valuable asset. Not money, not attention, not even energy. Because you can make more money and you can rest and regain energy. But once your time is gone, that’s it. It’s gone forever.” (Omar Zenhom, 01:28)
• Analogizes giving away time to giving away money: you wouldn’t hand over $1,000 without thought, so why do it with your time?
  • “We give away time like it’s nothing. When most of us are broken on time, we’re not sitting around twiddling our thumbs with billions in the bank with nothing to do.” (Omar Zenhom, 03:15)
• Every "yes" automatically means a "no" to everything else you could do in that time: focus work, family, rest, self-care, business goals.

The Script: Creating Space Before Committing

[04:05]

• Omar offers a ready-made, non-offensive script to avoid instant consent:
  • “Thanks for the invite. That does sound like fun. Let me check my calendar and my other commitments and I'll get back to you soon.” (Omar Zenhom, 04:05)
• This script “buys time” and protects your ability to reflect before committing.

Applying the Principle: A Real-World Example

[05:00]

• Omar shares a concrete story: invited to speak at a major conference in Nepal, he was excited, but the opportunity clashed with a critical business launch.
  • He used his script, reflected, and ultimately declined—even though he wanted to go.
  • “It was clear to me that this was a no. Even though this is something that I’m excited for and it seems like fun, but my need to accomplish my goals is greater than my need to just fulfill my wants.” (Omar Zenhom, 06:30)
• Says it wasn’t a no to the conference, but a yes to his business priorities.

The Deeper Impact of a Thoughtful Yes

[10:12]

• Omar explains why, for him, every yes is a commitment he fully intends to honor—and why a “cheap yes” is harmful.
  • “My yes means something. Sometimes I say yes to something and regret it, but I follow through anyway because my word means something. So if I commit, I’m locked in. That’s why I don’t commit lightly.” (Omar Zenhom, 10:14)
• Flaking or reneging breaks trust, especially with yourself.
• Cultivating a reputation for reliability—your yes is trusted—makes you respected in business and personal circles.

The “Warren Buffett” Standard

[12:08]

• Cites Buffett’s famous wisdom:
  • “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.” (Omar Zenhom quoting Warren Buffett, 12:08)
• The fewer things you say yes to, the more all-in and committed you are to what matters.

Practical Exercise & Resources

[13:00]

• Exercise challenge: For any substantial time request, pause and say, “Let me check and get back to you.”
• Audit: Is your yes aligning with goals, or is it a guilty/impulsive reaction?
• If it isn’t a “hell yes,” it’s a “no” (references Derek Sivers’ Hell Yeah or No).

Identifying Your “Hell Yes” Commitments

[13:44]

• Proactively brainstorm what are your “hell yes” projects, people, and priorities—work, hobbies, family.
  • “What are the three, four, five things in your life that are a hell yeah? Things that you absolutely love, that you enjoy, that are a part of your life, part of your business, part of what you do.” (Omar Zenhom, 13:44)
• Reserving time for those priorities brings more satisfaction, achievement, and avoids regret.

The Final Takeaway: Protecting Your Yes

[15:30 – 16:20]

• Every time you say yes, you’re saying no to everything else.
• If you’re backing out of commitments frequently, that’s a sign you’re saying yes too quickly.
  • “If you are not fulfilling promises, then that’s a clear sign you’re saying yes too quickly and saying yes too often to things that you don’t want to do.” (Omar Zenhom, 15:55)
• The power of deliberate, intentional commitment:
  • “Say yes slowly and no often. You should be saying no more than yes for sure. And when you say yes, mean it with your whole chest, right? And be proud.” (Omar Zenhom, 15:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Every yes is a no to something else." (Omar Zenhom, 03:15)
• "My need to accomplish my goals is greater than my need to just fulfill my wants." (Omar Zenhom, 06:30)
• "If I commit, I'm locked in. And that's why I don't commit lightly." (Omar Zenhom, 10:15)
• "The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything." (Warren Buffett, quoted at 12:08)
• "Say yes slowly and no often… When you say yes, mean it with your whole chest." (Omar Zenhom, 15:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:28 – Time is your most valuable asset
• 02:38 – The hidden cost of saying yes
• 04:05 – Omar’s script for buying time before saying yes
• 05:00 – Nepal conference story—choosing priorities over opportunities
• 10:14 – Why honoring your yes is crucial for trust and reputation
• 12:08 – Warren Buffett’s philosophy on saying no
• 13:00 – Practical exercise for listeners: pause before agreeing
• 13:44 – Identifying your “hell yes” commitments
• 15:55 – Red flag: backing out of commitments means saying yes too quickly

Takeaway for Listeners

Omar’s actionable wisdom: Treat your time like the precious, non-renewable resource it is. Say yes slowly, no often, and with intention. Protect your time and reputation by never saying yes to anything immediately.

If you found Omar’s approach practical and empowering, consider subscribing to The $100 MBA Show for more “no-fluff” business lessons three times a week.