Your Yes Audit: How to Make Decisions That Protect Your Energy and Grow Your Business

Let’s talk about one of the sneakiest ways women in business drain their energy and dilute their vision: saying “yes” to the wrong things.

At first, it doesn’t feel like a big deal.
A coffee chat here.
A summit invitation there.
A “quick” collaboration that turns into weeks of extra work.

We tell ourselves it’s networking. We tell ourselves it’s opportunity. We tell ourselves we should be grateful.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned — both in my business and coaching my clients:

Every yes costs you something.

And unless you’re clear on what each yes is worth, you can end up spending your time, energy, and focus like loose change… without realizing you’re bankrupting the very vision you’re trying to build.

Why We Struggle to Say No

If you’ve ever overcommitted yourself, you know the spiral:

• You want to be helpful.
  
  
• You don’t want to offend anyone.
  
  
• You think, “What if I miss my big break?”
  
  
• You assume saying no will close doors forever.
  
  

As women in business, many of us have been conditioned to believe our value comes from being available, agreeable, and accommodating. We were praised for being team players, for jumping in, for “making it work” no matter the cost to ourselves.

The problem? Those patterns don’t disappear when you run your own business — and now you are the one paying the price.

My Personal Wake-Up Call

A few years ago, I found myself in a whirlwind of “yes.”

I was saying yes to speaking at events that didn’t align with my core values.
Yes to summits where my audience wasn’t even present.
Yes to collaborations that required hours of preparation but brought no measurable impact to my business.

I told myself, “It’s good exposure.”
I told myself, “It’s just a little extra work.”

But here’s what was really happening:
Every yes was taking me away from the work that mattered most. My calendar was packed, my focus was scattered, and my energy was spread so thin that even my best opportunities weren’t getting my best effort.

The turning point came when I looked at my vision — the bigger picture of the business and life I wanted to create — and realized these “opportunities” weren’t taking me closer. They were pulling me off course.

So, I made a decision:
If it doesn’t align with my vision, my values, and my priorities, it’s a no.

What is a “Yes Audit”?

A Yes Audit is the process I now teach my clients to run before committing to anything new.

It’s a simple set of questions you ask yourself every time an invitation, request, or idea comes your way.

1. Does this align with my vision?
   Will it move me closer to where I want to be in one year? Three years? Five years?
   
   
2. Does it honor my values?
   Will I be proud of saying yes to this when I look back?
   
   
3. Is it the highest and best use of my time?
   Could someone else do it just as well (or better)?
   
   
4. Am I saying yes from desire or from fear?
   Fear-based yeses usually come from scarcity (“I might not get another chance”) or people-pleasing (“I don’t want them to be upset”).
   
   

If the answer to any of these questions makes you hesitate, it’s worth pausing before you commit.

The Cost of the Wrong Yes

When you say yes without intention, here’s what you risk:

• Diluted focus – Your attention is split between too many projects, and none get your full brilliance.
  
  
• Delayed growth – The right opportunities get postponed or missed entirely.
  
  
• Increased burnout – More commitments mean less rest, less creativity, and less resilience.
  
  
• Lower standards – When your plate is too full, you start cutting corners or compromising quality.
  
  

Every “wrong yes” is a quiet leak in your business. It doesn’t always cause damage right away — but over time, it drains your capacity for the work that actually matters.

How Saying No Actually Opens Doors

The first time you say no to something that “looks” good but isn’t right, it might feel scary.

But here’s what happens next:

• You free up energy for the right opportunities.
  
  
• You show your network you value your time.
  
  
• You position yourself as a leader who makes decisions with clarity.
  
  

And in my experience, the right clients, partners, and projects start showing up faster — because your yes actually means something.

My 3 Rules for a Strong Yes

Over time, I’ve refined my Yes Audit into three simple rules:

1. If it’s not a full-body yes, it’s a no.
   Doubt is a signal. If you feel heavy or hesitant, pay attention.
   
   
2. A yes today shouldn’t become a resentment tomorrow.
   Ask yourself how you’ll feel about this commitment when the initial excitement wears off.
   
   
3. Your yes should align with your top priorities for this season.
   Just because something is good doesn’t mean it’s good right now.
   
   

How to Start Your Own Yes Audit This Week

If you’re ready to protect your energy and grow your business with intention, here’s your homework:

1. Write down your top three priorities for the next 90 days.
   
   
2. Keep them visible — on your desk, in your planner, or as your phone wallpaper.
   
   
3. Before saying yes to anything, check if it directly supports those priorities.
   
   
4. If it doesn’t, practice saying, “Thank you so much for thinking of me. This isn’t a fit for me right now, but I appreciate the invitation.”
   
   

You’ll be surprised how quickly this one habit creates more space, more focus, and more results in your business.

Every yes is an investment.
When you say yes to what’s aligned, you multiply your impact.
When you say yes to what’s not, you divide your focus.

Your vision is worth protecting. Your energy is worth preserving. Your business is worth building with intention.

So the next time you’re about to say yes, ask yourself:

✨ Is this taking me closer to the business I want — or just keeping me busy?

💼 Ready to grow a business you love, on your terms — without burning out?
My 1:1 program, PROPEL, is designed to help women entrepreneurs get consistent leads, increase their income, and build momentum with clarity and confidence — all while protecting their energy and vision.

Learn more and join here: https://www.leonorherrera.com/propel