Are you crazy busy all the time?
Do you often feel that you don’t even have time to breathe?
Being busy to a point can be a good thing, but being “too busy” all the time is not!
Why are you so busy? That is the question!
The answer may be as simple as – you are not saying NO enough. You may be trying too hard to please others, to get them to like you, to fit in, to fulfill a sense of obligation or responsibility, or maybe being busy has become a badge of honor that signifies your importance in the world.
Whatever the reason . . . it’s time to change!
When every minute of the day is focused on doing what others want you to do that there is little or no time for things that matter to you – you are putting your mental and physical health at risk.
James Altucher states in his book The Power of No,
When you say yes to something you don’t want to do, here is the result: you hate what you are doing, you resent the person who asked you, and you hurt yourself. Click To TweetSaying NO Can Be Difficult – but Necessary
You can’t do everything – choices must be made. If you are caught in the YES trap because you cannot bring yourself to say NO, your life will be controlled by everyone around you. You are living for others, not for yourself.
Your daily habits define your life. What you do repeatedly day-in and day-out is what you become good at doing. If you want to change a behavior, you must destroy the root of the problem.
If you are too busy, the root of the problem is probably your inability to so NO.
NO is an incredibly powerful word! Learning to say it can change your life.
Think about the impact of saying no to foods you shouldn’t eat, to things you don’t want or shouldn’t do, to taking on others’ responsibilities, to people who make unreasonable demands on you, to toxic relationships and just because it is your choice to say no
How Do You Eat an Elephant?
One bite at a time, of course.
How do you stop saying yes? With one NO at a time!
If you have been a habitual YES person most of your life, this change will not happen overnight – but you can make the change. Slay this particularly dangerous dragon one battle at a time. Small steps will deliver amazing results.
Start saying no in one particular area of your life. Say no . . .
- When your child or spouse asks you to do something they could (and should) do for themselves.
- When a friend wants you to do something that holds zero interest for you.
- When you are tempted to eat the second piece of candy (rather than stopping at one).
- When your significant other asks you to have dinner with friends you do not want to be around.
You get the idea!
When your comfort level with saying no in that situation increases, choose another. Slowly, it will become easier and easier to say no when it is in your best interests.
A Daily Challenge
Challenge yourself to say a “difficult” NO at least once a day. Keep a record of your successes. Use an app on your phone (i.e. BEAR for IPhones or NOTEBOOK) or keep a small notepad handy for quick recording when it happens.
Don’t worry when you falter and say yes instead of no. Changing a deeply ingrained habit takes time. So, be patient with yourself and keep on keeping on.
Why Saying NO Is Important
- It is essential for your mental and physical well-being.
- You have a greater sense of control over your life.
- You have more time to do what you want to do.
- You will have more fun engaging in activities of your choice.
- People will respect you more.
- It establishes healthy boundaries in relationships.
- It sets clear expectations about what others can expect from you.
- And . . . many other reasons.
Keep in mind the words of Tim Harford, “Every time we say yes to a request, we are also saying no to anything else we might accomplish with the time.” Click To Tweet
And . . . time is your most important asset. Pedro Sorrentino warns us, “If you don’t guard your time, people will steal it from you.” Click To Tweet
It’s time to stop being crazy busy by learning to say NO, and using your time in ways that will create the life you want to live.
Related Post: 10 Crucial Practices for a Healthy Life
A related article I highly recommend: How to Say NO: 10 Powerful Tips
