No. When I say it to my son, he gets upset. He doesn’t like it because his request is something he wants at the time. But what kind of parent would I be if I said yes every time?
People don’t like hearing the word no. They believe their request is reasonable. What they are asking is to their benefit. To tell them no is inconvenient for them.
It’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important. -Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs
If I am always saying yes, then I find an inability to get my own work done. It is difficult because I want to be nice. I want to be helpful. But doing so keeps me away from my goals, goals which are designed to benefit me and my family. I must learn to say no.
Maybe not for everything. Certainly not if I have nothing else going on.
Over the last few weeks, I have realized just how far behind I am. I had too many irons in the fire and was not making any progress on any of them. Would this have happened if I said no more often?
“No, I cannot watch your dogs, so you can have a spa day.”
“No, I can’t go to the winery for an afternoon of drinking and socializing.”
No. It is not that hard to say. I just need to get better at saying it.
Feature photo by Andy T on Unsplash
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