Staying too busy she has no time.
Doing for others, she neglects herself.
Defining herself only through others, she loses her own definition.
The wise woman waters her own garden first."
...from "The Tao of Women" by Pamela Metz & Jacqueline Tobin
Saying 'No' and Saying 'Yes'
(The "too busy" disease)
Have you been suffering from the "too-busy" disease? Take our quick quiz and find out...
Quick Quiz
How many of the following apply to you...
| You struggle to say 'No' in a way that feels OK, so mostly you end up agreeing to things you don't really want to | You often find yourself taking on more work than you, or your team, can handle | You never seem have enough time to think strategically, or plan for the future | Other people are always saying how obliging you are | Important jobs don't get done until they become urgent | You find it hard to end unproductive conversations, or relationships | You've been on time management courses but nothing's changed | At work, meetings drag on, and you often end up with most of the actions | You've made mistakes because you're often thinking of the next thing you have to do, rather than what you're doing now | Projects you're managing creep, slip or grind to a halt | You seem to always be running to catch up | You keep promising yourself you'll read that novel, take the kids to the beach, or research that MBA course - but you're always "too busy" |
If you ticked between 1 & 4 of these... then learning to say 'No' could be the best thing you've ever done for yourself and your career. Stop the rot!!
If you ticked 5-8... You need help - and soon!! Time management is really about self-management.
If you ticked more than 8... Blimey! How are you finding the time to read this??!
The fact that you are reading this suggests that you know that things could be better. So you'd probably value some help in identifying the key issues. And in making the adjustments needed to get back in control of your life.
How does it feel when you imagine being able to say 'Yes' to the things you really want?
Saying 'No' and 'Yes' appropriately is closely connected to your ability to
be self-assertive. Being assertive is not about trampling over other people, it's about valuing your own time
and attention, and spending it wisely.
Here's something you really do want to say "YES" to:
Research has shown that being able to say no when appropriate is even linked to life expectancy.
It certainly means a calmer, more contented and more fulfilled life.
So where should you start? Well, the first thing I recommend is getting hold of the Life Audit Workbook. This workbook will help you
get to grips with your current situation - and identify your first steps in creating your best life.
Hesitating about getting the free workbook? Are you held back by the most limiting belief of all?