Say "No" And Improve Your Life

     Nancy Reagan was on to something with her "Just Say No" campaign. Unfortunately, saying "No" isn't as easy as the campaign would make it seem!  Saying "No" is a skill and just like the skill of painting, needs to be learned and practiced.  It would be extremely rare for a well known painter to walk up to a blank canvas and create a beautiful piece of art.  Your life is a canvas, and without the skill of "No", it likely could turn into a jumbled mess.  Perfecting the skill of "No" will improve your health, relationships (that matter) and well being.

     Baby Charlotte takes the difficult skill of "No" and makes it seem so simple in this famous YouTube video - which is why she has enjoyed over 28 million views.  One reason why Charlotte has been able to say "No" so easily is that, at her young age, she has not trained herself to say "Yes" all the time.  You may not realize how often you are inundated with requests for your time.  It's essential that you consider each request with regard to its role in helping you accomplish your daily goals!

     Here is how to master the skill of "No" with the A.R.R.T. method:

• Accept - Accept that saying "No" is a skill:  Until you accept this fact you won't put in the necessary time needed to perfect this skill and your life canvas.
• Recognize - Recognize why you say "Yes":  Take an entire day (or week) and make note of (1) all the times you say "Yes" to a request and (2) all the events on your schedule that are a result of a prior "Yes". With this information you should be able to conclude why you often say "Yes".  Is it that you want people to like you or that you don't want to seem ungrateful?  Or is it that you would rather just "do it" then have to think up a reason to turn someone down.  Once you figure this out, you can skip this R and your A.R.R.T. turns into an A.R.T.! 
• Realize - Realize a "No" request:  Consider what you learned in the prior step and decide if each future request will further your life plan and/or daily goal.  Not every "Yes" will turn into a "No", but your life will improve with each qualified "No".
• Try - Try out a "No" response:  Here are some suggestions for you to try...

NO TIME	"I simply don't have the time right now."
JUST NO	"It's a no I'm afraid, but thanks for asking me."
OVER COMMITTED	"I'd love to, but I've got other work/family/sporting commitments right now."
NEED TO FOCUS	"I can't, I need to focus on my priorities right now."
LESS COMMITMENT	"I won't be able to do that, but I could (insert a lesser commitment here)."
NOT NOW	I don't have the time now, but if you want to consider it next (insert a time frame here)."

     Whether you use these responses word for word is not crucial, but your answer needs to be short and firm.  Until you have mastered the skill of saying "No", consider "I will get back to you" or "Let me think about it".  Saying "Yes" in a no situation and carrying out a half-hearted or regretful "Yes" won't do a service to anyone. Learn the skill of "No" with the A.R.R.T. method  and improve your life.

     Please share and re-tweet to your over committed friends!

 
This makes a great gift:  The NO! Button-Electronic Voice Toy Gag Gift-10 Different Versions of No