What are you saying “Yes” and “No” to? A big part of being a high-achiever is learning how to say “No” when it matters most. In Tools of Titans author Tim Ferris writes, “Once you reach a decent level of professional success, lack of opportunity won’t kill you. It’s drowning in ‘kinda cool’ commitments that will sink the ship.” He’s referring to his tendency to say Yes to “cool” things that really weren’t moving him towards his goals and weren’t even relevant to doing what he believes he’s uniquely capable of, what he feels he has been placed on this earth to do. Sound familiar? Are you still saying Yes to things (and people) out of a feeling of obligation or guilt? Are you saying Yes because you believe you should be able to do it all? Are you afraid to say No for fear others will think you weak? Author and entrepreneur Derek Sivers has adopted a “Hell, yeah!” or “No” policy to combat his over-committed life that I love. When deciding whether or not to commit to something, if he feels anything less than, “Wow! That would be amazing! Absolutely! Hell yeah!” then his answer is No.
Tim says that if you’re suffering from overwhelm, then it might be useful to ask yourself these two questions:
1. In the midst of overwhelm, is life not showing me exactly what I should subtract?
2. Am I having a breakdown or a breakthrough?
If YOU are feeling overwhelmed right now, ask yourself these questions? Then use your pain to gain the clarity you need to say No when it matters most so you can say Yes to what truly matters.
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