We are designers, artists and makers.
We are creative’s, and being such, we are wired to take over ugly problems and create beautiful solutions. Make no apology, that’s who we are. But in order to achieve what we need we have to master the power of No.
Imagine, if you will, Glenda, The Good Witch, from Wizard of Oz has just appeared next to you. You may already be at work. You may have just started your morning cup of coffee or you may even be in bed reading this. Glenda asks “What’s troubling you today?” (I can totally picture her calmly smiling while wearing that pretty pink dress and asking me this question? Can you?)
Now put the pencil down, push away from the desk, turn off the TV, do whatever you need to do and sit quietly in this moment and feel what is troubling you. Say it out loud, if you can, and write it down. We want this to become a real thing we can see and revisit.
What was your answer?
Don’t switch it out for a new one. Go with the first thing you thought, blurted out and wrote down.
Can managing your time more wisely erase your trouble? Is it someone you wish you could spend more time with but feel too overloaded with work to do so? Keep in mind, that very someone can be your own self. Don’t feel ashamed. Wanting to play and enjoy alone time is needed for everyone including creative’s and isn’t frivolous or time wasted in anyway. We learn through play.
Maybe your troubled thoughts are financial. Whatever troubles you most likely came from a simple three-letter word, Y-E-S.
YES can take a mere second to say, and in some instances a lifetime to recover from. But how can we get where we want to go and feel good about it at the same time?
The secret is, Learning to Say No.
There’s NO place like NO.
There’s NO Place like NO.
There’s NO Place like…okay you get the connection.
But seriously, NO really is our Ruby Slippers.
Glenda said it best when she said, “We’ve had the power all along.” And it’s so true. So let’s use it to our advantage. Let’s think before we say Yes and really look at how saying yes will impact us in every aspect of our life.
Personally
Professionally
Financially
If it feels good all around then it’s a total Yes!
If it crushes something we want or love then clearly it’s a
Hell No! Always decide with careful thought.
Feeling pressured to answer Yes or No on the spot?
Don’t!
Simply say, I need to check my calendar and Ill get back to you. This gives breathing room to think, weigh the pros and cons and then, and only then, should we reply with an answer.
I know it’s easy to say and hard to live by but I’m seriously making a conscious effort to live it and I invite you to join me.
Let’s use our Ruby Slippers and think before we belt Yes and take back our power!