Say "no"

Do you sometimes feel that your life has become too hectic? Do you go to bed exhausted and wake up tired? Perhaps you are never saying "no".
Many of us have learned that to say no is rude, it means you're not a "team player", you're selfish, uncaring, etc. It may be helpful to relalize that when you can't say no you are saying yes to something else. Saying yes may not always be the best choice. Suppose you have a co-worker who continually asks you for help; you get behind in your own work and then have to work late. If you continue to say yes to this situation you may be finding less time for yourself, family, etc. It may leave you feeling powerless and angry. Saying no would alleviate the stress in your life that this co-worker has intensified. If your life is feeling too full of things you have to do and that you can never relax and take a break you may want to look around and see where you might benefit by learning to say no.
A useful tip- say no first-then explain. Sometimes if we start explaining first we end up saying yes.