21 STEPS TO CREATIVITY #11
Collage ©VickieMartin
Why is it so hard to say no for most of us? Are we too nice? Are we afraid of being judged? Are we going to miss an opportunity? Burn bridges?
It is always important to keep your long term goal in mind. The most important thing you do is to keep your long term goal front and center! Every time you say YES to something that doesn’t contribute to your long term goal,you are saying NO to something you could be doing during that time to accomplish your goal.
Listen to you gut. If it doesn’t seem right, say NO. “NO” is a complete sentence.
There are ways to say no. Maybe you are just too busy right now. Say you will think about it and get back – buy some time if you need to think about it. Just don’t over explain, be concise and move on.
So, when I say “NO” to projects and events that don’t work for my long term goals, what could I be doing?
I could be cooking up a healthy meal (in one of my cute vintage aprons)
Painting, I can always be painting
Journaling or just getting my thoughts down on paper
Spending some time at the piano or with my ukulele
I could be clearing my mind and meditating
I could go outside
Just do what feels right for you. Learn to say no.
What would you be doing if you said NO more often?
I would be reading and writing more books. I would be traveling more. I would be drawing more. Great way to think of saying No! 😉
I love this statement “It is always important to keep your long term goal in mind. The most important thing you do is to keep your long term goal front and center! Every time you say YES to something that doesn’t contribute to your long term goal,you are saying NO to something you could be doing during that time to accomplish your goal.” Very good point! Left me inspired 🙂
No is such a powerful way to honor your boundaries and make more room for the things you truly love. What wonderful options you might choose from. I think I’d like to say no to spending so much time on email, and yes to improving my photography skills.
Thank you! I have a habit of looking after everyone else first and leaving very little left for me.
If I said no more often I would spend more time relaxing and outdoors, making time for that nourishes my soul.
I would travel more, learn more and do more yoga. And work less☺
The problem is saying no to my own ideas and projects – there is so much I want to do!
do more yoga would work for me too! But – doing your own projects is very important.
I think most women put others first – putting ourselves first is something a lot of people need to work on!
take the time for your photography!!!! I need to paint more, it seems like everything comes in spurts for me.
Thank you! I’m glad it resonated with you!
sounds like a plan –
I was just reading a book yesterday called ‘One Great Goal’ and in that book it was made mention that same thought about keeping our long term goal in mind before we say yes to anything. Hmmmm….seems that this is a message important for me to hear since I have heard it twice in two days! Thanks
funny how important messages keep popping up – i did some research on this actually about putting a dollar value when you say yes to things, what it really costs you – it is interesting and made me pay attention
Saying no to people who don’t resonate with you or who have become difficult or unreliable is essentail to one’s mental well being. In business saying no to a potential client when your gut is saying No! and saying no to someone who was a difficult customer in the past not only saves you stress but makes you happier when you’re with your more ideal clients.