Sometimes you just have to say no!

Ok, this week's tip is a big one. Do you find yourself continuing to take on more and more responsibilities even after your schedule is already full? This is one of my biggest faults. I tend to go in cycles where I take on way more than I can actually handle, I tough it out for a few months until I end up completely overwhelmed, and then I have to cut my schedule way back out of necessity. When I finally get caught up on my rest and move out of overwhelm, I begin to take on more and more responsibilities again until I am right back in overscheduled mode. And the cycle continues.

So today’s tip is to practice saying no. This tip is obviously one that I need to hear often. And I do mean practice, especially when we are used to saying yes to every favor, activity, task, and new responsibility that is offered. The problem is that when we say yes to everything, then nothing gets done well and we end up totally burned out and exhausted. Therefore, when you are asked to take on something new, pause. And this is where the practice comes in, because if you are like me then you automatically say yes without thinking. So make an effort to practice pausing. During this pause, really consider whether or not you have time to take this on. If the answer is no then speak up and be honest. Say no! And if you are gracious and clear that you don’t have the time to do it well then everyone involved should understand. And even if they don’t, you will feel so grateful that you put your best interest first.