The way to do your best work is to be clear what isn't

The way to do your best work is to be clear what isn't

Meetings, calls, emails, dinner, school work, homework, laundry, chores, marriage, friendships, family. The list of stuff for everyone else is so long that it's easy to lose sight of who you are and who you're trying to be. You've probably been told that you need to say "no" more, but having to say "no" all the time is just as exhausting as having to "yes".

So what's the alternative?

How about never?

There is a lot of clarity in never. It’s a hard no. A single decision made once, instead of being a "no" on repeat. It feels clean and empowering. It’s about who we are and who we are not. Full stop.

Hollywood heartthrob slash amazing author, Matthew McConaughey once said that too many options will make tyrants of us all and that to find who we are, we first must eliminate who we are not. I like that.

"Eliminate who you are not first and you will find yourself where you need to be" - Matthew McConaughey

It's easier to never work late than it is to decide whether you will or won't every day. If you never work late, you have more space for what brings you joy and the great things you want to do with your life.

When most of us say no we really mean not today, not right now, or that Netflix is simply more appealing tonight. These aren’t final decisions, they're spur-of-the-moment choices and we're just as likely to say "yes" as we are "no" and then beat ourselves up about it.

Never is a boundary, yes and no is a fence we can jump back and forth over. If you want to be or do your best, be clear on what you never do.

Until next time,

Julia

Kaley Chu

TEDx, Keynote & Motivational Speaker | Author | Business Coach for speakers and aspiring speakers | Founder & CEO at 100 Lunches & 100 Speakers| 40 under 40 Business Elite | People Connector

1 年

Your thoughts on doing our best work while balancing everything else are truly inspiring. Your insights really resonate with me, thank you for sharing your wisdom. ??

Andrew Murray

Founder of Lumina | PhD Candidate in Leadership & Wellbeing | Partnering with Schools, Businesses & Government | Speaker, Consultant, Podcast Host | #BeTheLight

1 年

Julia I have found embracing 'never' as a boundary, not a limitation, can transform our lives. It's about clarity, commitment, and understanding our core values. Let's celebrate the power of decisiveness. Who we're not is just as important as who we are. #Boundaries #SelfDiscovery #MatthewMcConaughey

Summer Howarth

Director at The Eventful Learning Co | Award Winning Learning Experience Designer | Facilitator | MC | Panelist | Advocate for Teacher-Led Innovation & Students as Partners | Education System Advisor | Forever a Teacher

1 年

When I started The Eventful Learning Co. I was clear on how I didn’t want to spend my days and what I didnt/don’t want it to become. I wrote down what I’m not good at or don’t enjoy. Now I’m clear on what I pursue and what I leave for others to enjoy… as Amy Poehler once said… “good for you, not for me!”

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