Saying No: recent publications

One of the biggest problems in society is that we are taught to follow trends and move through life without questioning authority. School, as well as post-secondary education, teaches us to follow rules, please our teachers, and follow trends so we fit in. While seemingly harmless, you’re learning to prioritize other people over your own personal and professional success. One of the biggest lessons in life for a successful person is learning to say no.

I can’t stress enough the power of the word no. You indeed teach people how to treat you. The way you see the world around you is a reflection of what’s going on inside of you. When you establish firm boundaries, you protect your time and energy because you don’t allow other people to take advantage of you.

Start small and work your way up over a period of time. It can be difficult to set and maintain boundaries because you’ve been conditioned since early childhood to say “yes” and agree with society. This has been harming you, albeit unknowingly because you are now uncomfortable with saying “no.” To set and maintain boundaries, however, you must start saying no to people, places, and things that are no longer serving you or hindering your progress.

If you’re not evolving, your growth is slowing and you eventually become your own worst enemy. Now that you’re in a routine of setting and maintaining your boundaries, you have the time and energy to focus on what matters most. The most common areas of personal development in life are work, family, health, and wealth, to name a few. If any of these are ignored, your life loses balance and you are out of alignment with purposeful living.