JOMO in Business: Why I Left a £400 Event After Lunch (And You Should Too)

How the Joy of Missing Out became my secret weapon for better business decisions and authentic success

Meta Description: Discover how JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) can transform your business decisions. Learn why saying no and trusting your instincts leads to better productivity and profits.

I did something last month that would have absolutely horrified my people-pleasing, don't-want-to-waste-money, what-if-I-miss-something former self.

I left a two-day business event after lunch on day one.

Not because of an emergency, not because I felt unwell, not because of any dramatic reason at all. Simply because it wasn't serving me, and I had better things to do with my time.

The event was perfectly fine. Well-organised, decent speakers, lovely venue, gorgeous catering. Nothing wrong with it at all. It just... wasn't filling my cup. The content was things I'd heard before, the networking felt forced, and I found myself sitting there thinking about all the projects on my desk that would actually move my business forward.

From People-Pleaser to Boundary-Setter: My JOMO Journey

Five years ago, I would have stayed. Oh, I absolutely would have stayed. I would have convinced myself that the next session might be the one with the golden nugget of wisdom. I would have worried about getting my money's worth. I would have been terrified of missing out on some crucial piece of information or the perfect networking opportunity.

I would have spent the rest of day one and all of day two physically present but mentally elsewhere, checking my phone during breaks and feeling increasingly resentful about the time I was "wasting."

But last month? I gathered my things during the lunch break, said polite goodbyes to the people I'd met, and walked out into the London sunshine feeling absolutely liberated.

The Power of Strategic Withdrawal

I caught the train home (with no air con, naturally), made myself a proper cup of tea, opened my laptop, and spent three hours getting more done than I had in the previous month. I tackled that project I'd been putting off, cleared my email inbox, and even had time to plan out the following week properly.

It felt incredible.

There's something quite powerful about discovering that JOMO - the Joy of Missing Out - can be infinitely more valuable than FOMO - the Fear of Missing Out.

Understanding JOMO: The Business Game-Changer

What is JOMO? The Joy of Missing Out is the opposite of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Instead of anxiety about what you might be missing, JOMO brings contentment and relief from stepping back from activities that don't align with your goals or values.

For business owners, JOMO represents a fundamental shift from scarcity thinking to abundance mindset. It's about recognising that your time, energy, and attention are finite resources that deserve strategic allocation.

The Hidden Cost of FOMO in Business

Research from the UK's Federation of Small Businesses shows that 68% of entrepreneurs attend events or pursue opportunities primarily due to FOMO, not strategic alignment.

This FOMO-driven decision-making leads to:

• Scattered focus across too many initiatives

• Burnout from overcommitment

• Reduced productivity from context switching

• Financial waste on unsuitable courses and events

• Diluted brand messaging from trying to appeal to everyone

• Imposter syndrome from constantly comparing yourself to others

Breaking Free from Scarcity Mindset

For so long, I operated from a scarcity mindset. Every event might be THE event. Every networking opportunity might lead to THE client. Every session might contain THE insight that transforms everything.

But here's what I've learned: when you're clear on your goals, your values, and what actually moves the needle in your business, it becomes much easier to recognise when something isn't worth your time, regardless of how much you paid for it or how many other people think it's brilliant.

The JOMO Framework for Better Business Decisions

1. Define Your Non-Negotiables

Before making any commitment, ask yourself:

• Does this align with my core business goals?

• Will this move me closer to my ideal clients?

• Is this the best use of my limited time and energy?

• Am I saying yes from excitement or obligation?

2. Calculate True Opportunity Cost

Consider not just the financial investment, but:

• Time spent travelling and attending

• Energy required for preparation and follow-up

• Mental bandwidth diverted from priority projects

• Potential revenue lost from core business activities

3. Trust Your Gut Instincts

Your intuition often recognises misalignment before your rational mind catches up. If something feels "off," honour that feeling rather than pushing through because you "should" see value.

4. Practice Strategic Saying No

Develop comfortable phrases for declining opportunities:

• "This sounds fantastic, but it's not aligned with my current priorities"

• "I'm focusing on fewer things to do them better this year"

• "I've committed to being more selective with my time"

Implementing JOMO in Different Areas of Your Business

Events and Conferences

• Quality over quantity: Choose 2-3 strategic events per year rather than attending everything

• Clear exit strategy: Give yourself permission to leave if it's not valuable

• Alternative networking: Consider one-to-one coffee meetings with ideal connections

Online Learning and Courses

• Finish before starting: Complete existing courses before buying new ones

• Specific application: Only invest in learning that addresses current business challenges

• Implementation time: Allow 3:1 ratio of implementation to learning time

Social Media and Content Consumption

• Curated feeds: Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison or FOMO

• Scheduled consumption: Designate specific times for industry news and updates

• Action-oriented content: Focus on information you can immediately implement

Collaboration Opportunities

• Strategic partnerships: Partner only with businesses that complement your values

• Guest appearances: Choose podcasts and events with your ideal audience

• Joint ventures: Ensure clear mutual benefit and aligned timelines

The Financial Benefits of Business JOMO

Reduced unnecessary spending on courses, events, and tools that don't serve your specific needs can save thousands annually. The average UK business owner spends £3,200 per year on professional development - much of which goes unused.

Increased productivity from focused attention leads to higher quality work and better client outcomes. Clients pay premium prices for specialists, not generalists trying to do everything.

Better work-life balance reduces stress-related health costs and improves long-term sustainability. Happy business owners make better decisions and attract better clients.

Overcoming JOMO Guilt and Social Pressure

Common JOMO Challenges:

"But everyone else is doing it" Remember: their business journey isn't yours. What works for others might be completely wrong for your situation.

"I've already paid for it" Sunk cost fallacy is real. Don't throw good time after bad money. Cut your losses and move on.

"What if I miss something important?" Truly important information finds its way to you through multiple channels. One missed opportunity rarely derails a business.

"People will think I'm not committed" The right people will respect your boundaries and strategic thinking. Those who don't probably aren't your ideal clients anyway.

JOMO and Authentic Business Growth

Your time is finite. Your energy is precious. Your attention is currency. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is protect all three by walking away from things that aren't serving you.

This doesn't mean being rude or dismissive. It doesn't mean never trying new things or being closed to different perspectives. It means trusting yourself enough to know when something isn't right for you, and being confident enough to act on that knowledge.

Building Your JOMO Muscle: Practical Exercises

Week 1: Audit Your Commitments

List every recurring commitment, subscription, and planned event. Rate each from 1-10 on alignment with your goals.

Week 2: Practice Small No's

Decline one low-stakes opportunity that doesn't serve you. Notice how it feels and what you do with the reclaimed time.

Week 3: Define Your Ideal Client

Get crystal clear on who you serve best. Use this as a filter for all future opportunities.

Week 4: Create Your JOMO Statement

Write a personal manifesto about what you will and won't commit to, and why.

The Ripple Effects of Strategic JOMO

When you start practising JOMO consistently:

• Your work quality improves because you're not spreading yourself thin

• Your confidence grows as you trust your own judgement over external pressure

• Your brand becomes stronger through focused messaging and consistent delivery

• Your clients respect you more for having clear boundaries and priorities

• Your personal life improves with better work-life integration

JOMO vs. Perfectionism: Finding the Balance

JOMO isn't about avoiding everything that feels challenging or uncomfortable. It's about strategic alignment. Sometimes the right opportunity will push you outside your comfort zone—but it will feel aligned with your values and goals.

Questions to distinguish between JOMO and avoidance:

• Am I declining because it doesn't fit my strategy, or because it feels scary?

• Will this opportunity genuinely serve my business goals?

• Am I avoiding growth or avoiding distraction?

The Long-Term Business Benefits of JOMO

The event I left continued without me (funny how these things do). I'm sure other people got value from it. But I got something more valuable - three hours of focused work and the reminder that I don't have to force myself to find value in everything just because I'm "supposed" to.

Sometimes the best networking happens in your own office. Sometimes the most valuable insights come from actually implementing what you already know rather than collecting more information. Sometimes leaving early is exactly the right decision.

Your JOMO Action Plan

This Week:

• Identify one commitment you're dreading and consider whether it truly serves your business

• Practice saying no to one small request that doesn't align with your priorities

• Block time in your calendar for focused work on your most important project

This Month:

• Audit all your subscriptions, memberships, and recurring commitments

• Create criteria for evaluating future opportunities

• Have honest conversations about boundaries with clients and colleagues

This Quarter:

• Implement systems that protect your time and energy

• Develop template responses for declining opportunities gracefully

• Measure the impact of your JOMO decisions on productivity and profit

When JOMO Becomes Your Competitive Advantage

What are you staying for that you should probably walk away from? What commitment are you honouring out of obligation rather than genuine value? Where could you apply a little JOMO to your life and business?

Trust your instincts. Protect your time. Leave when it feels right to leave.

Your future self will thank you for it.

In a world obsessed with doing more, having more, and being everywhere at once, choosing to do less, yet better, becomes a radical act. JOMO isn't about missing out; it's about focusing in.

The businesses that thrive in today's noisy marketplace aren't those trying to be everything to everyone. They're the ones brave enough to say no to the wrong opportunities so they can say yes to the right ones.

P.S. I used the money I saved on accommodation and the second day's lunch to book a lovely dinner with my husband instead. Much better investment, and infinitely more aligned with what actually matters to me.

About Claire: Claire is a business coach who helps entrepreneurs build profitable, sustainable businesses by focusing on what truly matters. She specialises in helping business owners overcome FOMO, set strategic boundaries, and make decisions that align with their values and goals. If you're ready to stop chasing every opportunity and start building a business that serves your life, get in touch.

Keywords: JOMO, Joy of Missing Out, business decisions, entrepreneur boundaries, strategic planning, business focus, FOMO in business, time management for entrepreneurs, business productivity UK