Saying Yes is easy. Saying yes keeps people happy and keeps me busy. Saying yes to going to dinner, having a drink, going to a friends’ place, working on a book. Saying yes brings me a lot of joy.
But for two letters, No is a powerful word. In contrast to saying Yes, saying No is hard. Saying No disappoints people. “I can’t help with that right now.” “No, I can’t attend your event.” “No, I’m not interested in illustrating that book.” No is the hardest word for me to say because I generally derive most of my pleasure from pleasing people. But, in the long run, saying no has never led to a catastrophic mistake.
No unlocks things. No makes it about me, not them. No creates space to think, to breathe, and to observe. Saying ‘No’ helps me say yes to things that matter, when they matter most.