Take a moment and allow the statement below to sink in:
Let the power of your “no” increase the value of your “yes.”
I heard this last weekend while in the middle of a Peloton Mental Health Awareness workout. The truth of it almost knocked me off my tread, and I had to repeat to myself out loud. Over the course of the weekend, the statement remained top of mind as I continued to unwind it for myself, and why it was so powerful.
One thing that immediately occurred to me is that when we say “yes” to everything, we gain a reputation as a blanket yes-person. Our commitments begin to look and feel like obligations, or check-off-the box assignments. Even if we do truly care about the project, task, commitment, to the casual eye it might seem we don’t actually care. We simply become the “old faithful” who can always be counted on.
As I dove deeper into that thought, my brain made a leap and connected it to one of my own universal truths: We can only fully, truly appreciate our joy when we also understand its natural companion – sorrow. I know it seems like a pretty long bridge to cross, but…is it? To truly appreciate the value of our “yes” we must balance it with intentional “no.” Because, if you lack the ability to say “no” how can it mean anything when you say “yes”?
Saying “no” to the right things gives you the freedom to focus – your time, energy, passions, and skills – on what’s most important and high impact. This applies to all areas of your life and is why boundaries are so important. This is the reason I believe “No” is a complete sentence.
So, the next time your guilt gremlin tries to convince you to over-commit and sign on for something you don’t have time, energy, or interest in, remember this statement:
Let the power of your “no” increase the value of your “yes.”
And just say “No.”
