Build the Courage to Say No

Lesson 6

In our pursuit of success, it's easy to focus solely on what we say "yes" to. But have you ever considered that what we decline can be just as defining? Time, that precious commodity, amplifies the importance of prioritisation.

I would like to share a personal revelation from my time living and studying in Spain. Imagine being surrounded by a diverse group of people from all around the world; a melting pot of cultures, each day bursting with opportunities but with a limit of 24 hours to each day. It was a whirlwind of possibilities, where saying "no" became as essential as saying "yes." By embracing this principle, I was not only able to achieve the goals I set out for myself but was also able to enjoy the experience whilst maintaining clarity and focus amidst the sea of possibilities that Spain presented.

Now, as we continue to navigate the journey of 2024, I'm reminded of the power of selective affirmation. Let's explore how blending personal insights with professional experiences can shape our approach to seizing the right opportunities while gracefully declining the rest.

Let's dive in together.

Every "yes" carries an opportunity cost

Having strategic clarity enables us to selectively say "no" to activities that offer limited value or do not align with our values or long term goals. I have found that being clear on my values and my goals makes it easier to say ”no” and in saying no I free up time and resources to say “yes” to those initiatives with the highest potential to move me closer to my goals.?

Work-Life-Balance? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Saying "no" to non-essential tasks or commitments helps you maintain a healthy #work-life-balance, in the same way that agreeing to attend non-essential social engagements can drain your energy, priority should be given to those engagements which energise you.? Experience has taught me that being clear on my personal values makes it a whole lot easier to prioritise and in doing so my well-being is taken care of, ensuring sustained energy to keep you going in the long run.

Personal Effectiveness ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Prioritise tasks and commitments that leverage your strengths and expertise. Saying "no" to projects outside your scope allows you to focus on activities where you can make the greatest impact increasing your #personaleffectiveness. A small caveat here is that by avoiding tasks outside of your scope of expertise also limits your potential for growth. Taking the initiative to communicate your desire to expand your scope will reduce the risk of missed chances and enhance your ability to take on new challenges whilst creating a culture where individuals around you will feel empowered to voice their aspirations in turn fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

Not the dreaded communication and boundaries line!? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? In my experience being able to clearly communicate your priorities and boundaries is something which is easier said than done, however borrowing from Brené Brown concept of “#BRAVING” and with enough practice I have learnt that saying "no" when necessary reinforces my focus and commitment to achieving my goals, while also fostering respect for my time and building trust in both my personal and professional relationships.

In summary, while strategic prioritisation involves seizing the right opportunities, it's equally important to compassionately decline those that don't resonate with your goals or values. By embracing this balance of affirmation “saying yes” and discerningly “saying no”, you not only optimise your time but also foster a more authentic and fulfilling path towards success as defined by you. Are you ready to navigate the year ahead with more clarity and purpose?