How often do you say 'no'? When work is piling up and your boss tosses another task your way, do you push back? How about when your partner asks you to binge-watch another series late into the night? Can you decline when your kid begs for a game of Exit at the playground after a draining workday?
What's your threshold for turning things down?
We hustle from one task to another, squeezing productivity from every waking minute. But what if that list were shorter? What if the key to doing more is actually doing less?
Saying 'no' isn't just about others; it’s also about setting boundaries for yourself. Trust me, I've been there. I hit a wall trying to learn something new and couldn't figure out why. Turns out, my biggest obstacle was self-doubt. So, I flipped the script and created a Not-to-do list.
Here are my not-to-dos:
⬜️ Doubting yourself
⬜️ Neglecting what you love
⬜️ Skipping early mornings
⬜️ Skipping morning runs
⬜️ Forgoing bedtime reading
⬜️ Staying up late
⬜️ Pleasing others
⬜️ Procrastinating on tomorrow’s top work priority
Revisiting this list daily is my mental anchor now. For instance, 'Doubting yourself' may seem like a no-brainer, something you shouldn’t have to write down. But just seeing it there flicks a switch in my brain. Now, every time self-doubt creeps in, that list item flashes like a mental warning light. ⚡️⛔️
This list has a domino effect on my life. Skip the morning run, and I’m mentally dragging. Ignore bedtime reading, and I hit a creativity wall. This list isn’t just a set of guidelines; it’s a game plan for a balanced life. It reminds me that time spent on non-priorities is time taken from what truly matters, like playing the game of Exit with my kids at the playground. 🛝
So, what would feature in your not-to-dos?
I started saying NO WITH A SMILE and that gives me satisfaction to do things right 👍