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Trust Your Gut, Then Ask a Better Business Question

By Angelique Mercurio

You get an email about a collaboration. The person is enthusiastic, they love your work, and they want an answer by Friday. You can see the potential. You also notice that every time you sit down to reply, you find another thing to do first.

That hesitation deserves a closer look. Maybe the opportunity is exciting and you're nervous because it's new. Maybe you've already spotted a problem you haven't put into words. Either way, you can use that feeling to ask a better question before you commit.

Name the part that gives you pause

"I have a weird feeling about this" is a starting point. Try getting specific. Is it the person, the timing, the money, or what you're being asked to do? Would you feel differently if the deadline moved, the responsibilities were clear, or the arrangement was paid?

Imagine a wellness practitioner is invited to lead a workshop for exposure. The event sounds like a good fit, but the organizer hasn't said who's handling registration, whether the practitioner can share a follow-up offer, or how many hours they'll be needed. Those are questions they can ask before deciding. A short conversation could reveal a worthwhile opportunity or save them from giving up a Saturday they needed for paying clients.

Look at what the decision asks of you

Write down what saying yes would cost in time, money, or attention. Include the work around it. A one-hour workshop might also mean planning, travel, setup, and follow-up. Then write down what would make it worthwhile for you. Maybe it's a fee, an audience that matches your services, or a relationship you genuinely want to build.

This is where intuitive guidance and practical business strategy come together in my work. I make room for what you're sensing, then we look at the details together. You might realize your hesitation is asking for a clearer agreement, or that you simply need permission to take a day before answering.

Choose the smallest step that gives you more information

You can ask for the scope in writing, propose a smaller trial, or say, "I'd like to look at my schedule before I commit. Can I get back to you tomorrow?" A little space can help you notice how you feel once the pressure to answer has passed.

If you have a business decision you keep returning to, bring it to a Signature Strategy Session. We'll look at the situation together and choose three practical next steps. It's a private, two-hour session for $222.22, available virtually nationwide or in Middletown, New York, by appointment.

Two hours · $222.22 · Virtual nationwide or in person in Middletown, New York, by appointment

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