As I age, I continue to grow and I’ve developed an increased confidence. One huge step forward was learning to say no. I have always been a people-pleaser. I like to satisfy people and make them happy. In my younger years, this usually meant that I said yes to everything, regardless of my own feelings or inclinations.
However, as I’ve aged, I’ve come to realize that my ready willingness to please others often left me overworked and, at times, exhausted. Saying no doesn’t mean you are a bad person. Instead, it means that you care enough about yourself and those you love to consider your limits and boundaries.
Reasons To Say No
1. Free Up Time To Explore Your Passions
Saying “no” frees you up to explore your strengths and talents. Developing skills requires practice, which in turn requires time. Even if you have a natural talent for something, you typically need practice to increase your skills and proficiency. Saying yes to endless activities leaves little time to explore or develop your real passions.
Saying no doesn’t mean you are a bad person. In fact, saying no to too many responsibilities actual helps you avoid situations where you can’t give your best.
2. Empower Others To Stand Up
People will often choose the path of least resistance. If they know you to be a person who always steps up to get things done, most often they will just sit back and let you do the work. However, by stepping back from saying yes to every opportunity, you create an environment for others to step in. In essence, saying “no” can actually empower others who may have been too intimidated to step out.
by stepping back from saying yes to every opportunity, you create an environment for others to step…
Expect Some Resistance
Change is tough, so expect some resistance at first. It can take a while for people to adjust their expectations, especially when they know they will be called upon to take up the slack. Many times people aren’t even aware how heavily they lean on you until they are called to stand on their own two feet.
Saying no doesn’t mean that you are a bad person or that you don’t care about others. But it is a sign that you are growing up and taking control of your life and schedule.
What About The Person Who Always Says “No”
I should put in one qualifier for some of you who may always find yourself saying no. If you are a person who refuses everything for fear of rejection, embarrassment or lack of motivation, then you need just the opposite advice.
Life lived well always involves a series of risks. If you are one who fears saying yes, I would encourage you to follow the tips above in reverse. Saying yes can press you to explore new opportunities and it also allows you to be vulnerable to others. It’s valuable and empowering to feel need and be needed by others in return.
