Why You Must Learn to Say No

By Marcia Francois

One of my favourite experts on goal-setting, Gary Ryan Blair, said this: "success in life requires a short "Yes" list, and a long "No" list.
I tend to agree with him.

Whenever I coach time management clients or get interviewed on time management tips, one of the first things I tell people is this:

The absolute quickest way to get results with your time is to learn which things to say yes to and which to say no to. And the no list should always be longer. There are far more demands on our time than we can ever even hope to satisfy. From requests for time commitments to outside stimuli like Facebook, Twitter, blogs, telephone and text messages, the list goes on and on.

Remember, you ALWAYS say no to at least one thing when you say yes to something else.
For example...

• If you say yes to volunteering on 3 committees, you're saying no to one or all of the following: your family, your self-care, your exercise time, your household...
• If you say yes to that beautiful new pair of shoes you really can't afford, you're saying no to your debt-reduction plan and maybe to some more clutter!

No is such a small word but is often so hard to say.
 
The good news is that saying no is exactly like going to the gym and building some muscle.
It feels very uncomfortable at first but the more you work at it, the easier it becomes.
Saying no is exactly the same.
The first couple of times you will cringe inside as you hear yourself saying no, wondering if your family, friends and colleagues still like you.
Once you get a bit more practice, you start to get more comfortable and very soon, you'll develop an ease and grace about it.

Why should you say no?

1. It helps you set firm boundaries.
2. It helps you honour your values.
3. It makes you more productive.
4. It reduces your stress.
5. It frees you to serve where you're called to with joy.

I'm challenging you to SLOW DOWN and think carefully before you say yes to anything.
In fact, why don't you start saying, "let me get back to you on that" so you think clearly about the situation before committing yourself. And when you say no to things that don't support your goals, you're free to say yes to all the things that really do matter to you.

Marcia Francois is a time management coach and speaker who inspires busy women to break out of overwhelm, make the most of their time and take purposeful and focused action so they have the time and freedom to live life to the full. Visit http://purposefultimemanagement.com for your free Time Management Purpose Pack.