Yes. Sure. Absolutely. Definitely. I’ve got it. Yep. No problem. Certainly. Indeed. Of course. For sure. Sign me up.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to say YES, but it doesn’t mean you have to and chances are you really can’t afford to. Women especially over commit our time and our energy. Whether you feel the pressure to say yes or you truly think you can handle just one more commitment, the reality is we’re all doing too much and too often it’s at the expense of our health.
We are over programed, over stimulated, and over committed.
And the result…we’re missing it all. Yep, that’s right, you’re missing it all. Because you’re too busy thinking about the next items to check off your to-do list, you’re not focused on the task at hand. When it comes to our schedule, we often choose quantity over quality. I challenge you to make the shift to quality over quantity even if that means you have to say no.
Try it on. See if you like the results. Happiness is guaranteed.
Here are 5 tips for saying NO
- Let go of guilt. Stop worrying about the shoulds, have tos, and must dos. Don’t worry about what people will think. Chances are they’re too busy to spend their time thinking about what they thought you should have done.
- Start and finish each day with a brain purge. Put all your thoughts on paper until your brain is blank. Then skim over the list and decide the three things you’ll tackle. Tuck the rest away for another day and resist the urge to revisit past lists.
- Only say yes to something you really want to do. Trust me on this one, you and all those involved will be better off with your honesty.
- If you won’t remember missing it in 10 years, then it’s likely not worth your time. A wedding, a birthday, and a milestone celebration are all worth your time. Counting tin cans to raise $10 for your son’s school, not so much; alphabetizing the magazines, not so much.
- Be honest with yourself and others. You don’t need to be mean. You can simply say, I truly appreciate you thinking of me, follow by…
- While that sounds like a wonderful time, right now, I’m focusing my time and energy on X, Y, Z. Please keep me in mind in the future.
- That’s a wonderful opportunity: however, at this time I’ll have to pass.
- I have to decline your invitation; I already have plans that day.
- I’m unable to volunteer for that event, but I wish you much success.
Take baby steps. Each day say no a little more and yes a little less, and in no time at all you’ll be spending your time doing things you enjoy with people you love.
Do you struggle with saying yes all too often? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below to share what you’ve said yes to recently but wish you could get out of. Or share how you’ve tactfully declined opportunities that don’t truly jazz you up.
As I’ve said before, your experience and story are valuable to this community and may be the very things that empower another woman to shift her perspective. Thank you for your contributions. Together we’re creating a better world for women to live more joyfully and authentically.
Be well,
