Just Say No in This "Yes Yes" World                         Home Page                        

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This back-to-school rush makes us all too busy. Then again, so did summer. Every

season is full of lists of things to accomplish. As soon as the kiddies get back to school,

 most agree the rush pales in comparison to the soon-to-follow “ Holiday season”. From

 Halloween (which gets bigger every year and nowadays that retailers start promoting in

 early September) through New Years Day, things get more and more rushed. It’s like

 you need special shoes just to do all the running around that must be done.    

As seasons come and go, so do seasons in life. There was a time when I volunteered for

anything and everything: chair of this, president of that and too many committee

assignments to count. And, oh yes, all the while working and taking care of my family.

Then I got tired and un-volunteered, ordered my name off lists, quitting committees and

resigning positions. My family enjoyed a more relaxed me with them at home more. My

motto was “just say no”, and I got good at it. No! No! No!

Suddenly, however, I came full circle from too busy to not busy enough.  Though less

stressed, my sense of purpose waned. Suddenly I didn’t really feel “productive”. There

was so much time for tennis that my knees hurt. Lunch with friends was great, but

too much of that and I would have to buy a new wardrobe. Date nights with my husband

and quality time with the kids were priorities, but there was that time in-between.  

A few simple steps helped me to better manage time: 

1.      Make a not to do list: To-do lists are nearly as important as not to do lists.

      The things we don’t do must become a focal point. To decide if you’re going

      to say yes to something ask, “Am I going to do it better than anyone did it

      before?” Mediocrity doesn’t help you sleep better.  

2.      Who are your priorities? That list is short and intentional. God, family, work,

      friends? It’s not what we say that defines your priorities; it’s who gets your

      time. Time cannot be carried over like cell phone minutes— once it’s past,

      it’s never coming back.  

3.      Determine areas of personal growth and ways to personally stretch yourself!

      What are your dreams? We all have them, but few of us passionately pursue

      them. By your example, you must teach your children to dream and reach higher!

There are many ways to simplify your calendar. First, set your boundaries ahead of

time. Next, consider your not-to-do’s, so that you can master your to do’s. Third, if you

choose to do it, then choose to do it greatly. Fourth, guard your limited time and

practice the art of saying no to things that serve no real purpose in your life.  Finally,

think bigger and reach for your dreams.  

As the Holiday season approaches, be prepared. Christmas is the season of miracles.

Take time to reflect on what is important. Give more gifts this year, but do less

shopping. Save the biggest gift for yourself, a Christmas season you enjoyed in a home

filled with love.