“It’s only by saying no that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.” – Steve Jobs
Patti Breitman says in her book, “How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty, ”Saying no comfortably and without guilt requires you to really think about what you stand for. Why are you saying no? As you learn to eliminate unwanted obligations from your life, what are you making room for? When you can identify and embrace your priorities and focus on what you want more of—for example, time with the family, money for an important project or cause—you feel more justified saying no in order to pursue those goals.”
When we say yes but really want to say no, we are focused on pleasing others to the potential detriment of our time, our wellbeing, and our boundaries.