Learn to say 'NO'!

A while back an assistant of mine put me to the test, she said one morning, “you know why you’re so tired Tom, it is because you can’t say ‘no’ to anything, you are always trying to get too much done.”

To which I said that was not true and of course I could say no. Anyway, we got on with the day and later on she approaches me and asks; “can I have £1000 please?”. My answer… “I will think about it!”

You see, she got me right there and then, point proven! I didn’t say ‘no’, to something I knew the answer would be a no, I took the easier option and said I would think about it.

A simple example but to me it was a powerful wake up, a chance to really be observant as to how I am choosing to respond to requests and manage my time and energy.

The reason I bring this up is that now is a time where we are planning our coming year, we are figuring out what we want to achieve. We set a plan and (hopefully) go to work to accomplish it.

However, next year as we are working towards our goals, we are going to come across many opportunities and temptations that will steer us away form our intended goal. And while they may seem attractive at the time, they will be detrimental to your desired outcome.

I see it all the time with successful people and those who win verses those who don’t. It is the ability to say ‘no’ to things that simply are not in alignment with your intended plans and goals.

I have been and still am to some extent guilty of this.

So, my challenge to you as you run out this year, is to find those opportunities to flex your ‘no’ muscle and say ‘no’!

With love

Tom