two simple letters

I often get myself into trouble because I do not say no enough.
I over-commit myself at the expense of my own boundaries.
Really, I think it is my desire to be a collaborator, a fixer, a problem-solver,
afraid to disappoint others and my potential, hating the sound of impossibility.
Here's to listening to myself and recognizing my own limitations.

What "no" means

• I'm too busy
• I don't trust you
• This isn't on my list
• My boss won't let me
• I'm afraid of moving this forward
• I'm not the person you think I am
• I don't have the resources you think I do
• I'm not the kind of person that does things like this
• I don't want to open the door to a long-term engagement
• Thinking about this will cause me to think about other things I just don't want to deal with

What it doesn't mean:

• I see the world the way you do, I've carefully considered every element of this proposal and understand it as well as you do and I hate it and I hate you.

via {seth godin}