Productivity Archives ⋆

Helpful Tips to Overcome Deadline Stress

nmasipa — Fri, 24 May 2024 11:15:00 +0000

Deadline stress is the fear of running out of time. There is nothing more stressful than a looming deadline when it seems there is a lot more to be done and little time left. The word ‘deadline’ itself invokes fear and anxiety. I have been trying to reframe it into a more productive notion such as a timeline, due date, completion date or milestone marker. Whatever term you use, just give it life. This post shares nine powerful tips and actionable steps you can take right away to manage the stress that comes with pending deadlines. I also share helpful book suggestions that will help declutter your mind and give you more insight. While stress is a normal part of our lives, the negative effects can’t be denied. We should all strive to reduce stress where we can. One unique and overlooked source of stress is deadline stress. This is the stress you feel when you are worried about pending tasks that are hanging over your head. If that sounds like something you deal with, consider using these tips to help overcome deadline stress. Before we move on, don’t mistake deadlines for goals. While the steps may seem similar to goal setting, deadlines are more circumstantial whereas goals are self-willed and paced. Deadlines only focus on the time aspect and have immediate consequences more far-reaching than goals. Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Make a Plan Do you know how you are going to meet your deadline? Do you have a plan? If not, do this as soon as possible. Planning is key to meeting your deadlines. Taking the time to outline a rough plan will likely reduce a lot of the deadline stress you feel. Don’t just take things as they come or go with the flow. Time moves a lot faster when you think you think you have plenty of time to get things done. A plan will help you structure your work and see how you can go about achieving your submission and completion of your task timeously. Planning is a must for me with studying, a full-time job, online business, and motherhood. I have assignment deadlines, which I’m always procrastinating on… Setting up a study schedule and time for research and writing has helped me meet my due dates. You may also like: Say Bye Bye to Procrastination Set More Realistic Deadlines People tend to be overly optimistic when they initially set timelines. While this is a hard habit to break, you need to get more realistic. Setting deadlines that aren’t reasonable will only add more pressure on you and overwhelm you. Make sure you set realistic deadlines that you can meet. Sometimes, we have deadlines set for us at work or school that we need to work around. This is where the planning helps with time management. Set timelines for all the steps and tasks leading up to the submission date or deadline that won’t leave you exhausted from trying to catch up. Organise your Workspace A cluttered workspace leads to a cluttered mind. Even if you feel stressed for time, it’s important to take some time to tidy up your work area. A tidy work area means you have fewer distractions and will find it easier to focus on your most important tasks. Organise your space in sections of importance and prioritise the workflow for ease of reference and getting things done. Focus on Things You Can Control You can’t control every circumstance in your life. When you are facing a tough deadline, focus on the things you can control. Maybe your boss set the deadline so you can’t control that, but you can control how you spend the time you have. You can’t control what you can’t control. Remember that and don’t be too hard on yourself. Use the tools you have at your disposal to make the work easier. Automate, use AI, speech to text and ask for help when you have short deadlines set for you and you feel the pressure. Break Down Your Tasks One of the best ways to deal with deadline stress is to break your intimidating tasks down into smaller action items. Instead of worrying about a huge task due in whatever amount of days, you can focus on smaller steps that you can do right away. The more of these steps you tackle, the closer you will be to your goal. If you can get something done in five minutes or less, do it right away. Those tasks don’t need planning, and they won’t jeopardise your progress but will help you tick things off the pending list. Don’t leave things to pile up. Break tasks into sectors or types and group some tasks for easier flow. This also helps the pace of your work. Prioritize What’s Most Important You should always be spending the majority of your time on your most important tasks. If you need help figuring out what you should be working on next, consider both urgency and importance. Important tasks move you towards your goals the most, and urgent tasks have the tightest deadlines. Find a balance between those two tasks to figure out what deserves priority. Focus on Your Inner Peace It’s important to find healthy ways to limit stress in your life. Focusing on your self-care and inner peace is the best way to do that. Consider taking up a meditation routine. Strive to be more mindful in your everyday life. Find hobbies and routines that naturally reduce your stress. Starting a journaling practice is also a good outlet. Do more of the things which bring you calm and clarity. Let Go of Perfection Perfection is the biggest enemy of “done.” If you are already stressed about meeting a deadline, it doesn’t make sense to add the stress of perfection. The reality is, perfect doesn’t exist. If you keep nitpicking every little detail, you are only going to miss more deadlines. Don’t invite the stress of perfection into your life. Remember, done is better than perfect. You may also like: Create a Schedule you can Stick to Take a Break If you are heads-down, working your tail off to meet a deadline, taking a break might be the last thing on your mind. This can be a dangerous mindset. Taking a break is a great way to re-energize and refocus to always give maximum effort. It is also a chance to step back from the details and take an overall look at your progress. Taking stock of things when the pressure gets unbearable can help you reset and find loopholes in your system. This is the time to reshuffle and try a different way that doesn’t leave you frazzled out. Nothing changes if nothing changes. Suggested Readings Fast-Action Steps to Overcome Deadline Stress Don’t let the deadlines stress get you in a slump. Work smarter and more efficiently to get things done timeously without the stress that comes with a ticking clock. Love, Everyday Ntha Share the love

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Important Aspects to Achieve your Goals

nmasipa — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 21:27:23 +0000

Goal setting is not the same as just wanting something, or even making resolutions. Therefore, deciding you want something won’t get you anywhere without a clear plan of action on how to achieve your goals. Whether it’s getting healthy, writing your novel, or expanding your business, there are some key things to focus on if you want to reach your goals. This post will cover a more holistic approach to help you achieve your goals. Work on your mindset If you want to achieve your goals you need to be in the best state of mind that you can be. Show up, work hard, be kind, live the life you want to have, and be the person you want to be. Know that you’re doing everything you can and a bit more to achieve your goals. Be your cheerleader and know that you can do it! Take care of yourself Part of being your best you is for you to take care of yourself, mind and body. Make sure you eat well, exercise, get outside for some fresh air, and take time out for rest and fun. As a result, looking after yourself and having a balanced life will keep you focused and energized and help you avoid burnout and the urge to give up. Adapt to change Flexibility is key to success. You need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances or unexpected opportunities. Check in at regular intervals to see if you’re on track or how a strategy is working. Also, as you achieve milestones, you should re-evaluate your plan and add some further goals. Have a positive support structure You need to have people around you that are supportive and encouraging, not people who will drag you down by telling you you’re dreaming or you can’t do it. Friends, family, and colleagues who are positive will actively support you in reaching your goals. You don’t need to do this alone. Get the support of positive friends, your partner, and your family and surround yourself with people who want you to succeed. Having a buddy, a coach, or a mentor to share the journey will help keep you focused on meeting your goals. Set challenging goals Make your goals challenging. Think big about what you want! What might seem impossible now can become a reality, if you have goals and a commitment to achieve them. Learn to live with and even enjoy discomfort because the comfort zone doesn’t reinforce motivation to change or grow. Keeping these aspects of development in mind will help to keep you on track and reinforce your commitment to reaching your goals. These five things will energize you to do your absolute best, keep you healthy while you do it, and keep the passion in your life. You may also like: 4 ways to achieve your goals Ways to Stay Motivated to Achieve Your Goals Motivation is a fundamental factor in reaching your goals. Starting a new project is exciting and filled with a rush of energy. Once you’ve set the goal that you want to achieve, you’re gearing up to go. In the first few days or weeks, everything’s going great. But then you might have a setback. Maybe you’re not hitting those regular weekly or monthly goals you set yourself, and you can see your dream slipping away. How can you stay motivated when everyday life threatens to throw you off-course? Motivation works best when it’s positive. If you want to do something and it feels good, you’re much more likely to keep doing it. Getting your motivation right from the start increases your momentum and propels you toward success. Here are some proven ways to stay motivated and keep you on course. Start small Build up some motivation by starting with small, achievable goals. Focus on small action steps that add to that big goal. If you want to increase your fitness from couch potato to marathon runner, you might like to start with using the stairs instead of the elevator or take lunchtime or after-dinner walks. Work out what you need to do to get there and in what sequence. Remember that your daily, weekly, and monthly actions all add up to success. Celebrate progress Progress is good, no matter how small. It is worth a pat yourself on the back. Celebrate each win, whether it’s putting on your running shoes or getting on the yoga mat. Use a smartphone app to track your progress and build in milestone rewards. Have small things to aim for as well as your big goal. Focus on one goal at a time If you try to take on too much at once, you’re bound to lose motivation! Trying to achieve too many things at once is overwhelming and exhausting. Chunk your steps and get manageable and achievable milestones. Think positive Use the power of your mind to visualize your success. How will it feel when you accomplish your goal? Imagine what success will look, feel, and sound like, from the pride and joy of making it to the sound of the champagne corks and congratulations. Do this visualization regularly, write it down, and keep those positive messages in front of you. The 7 Life Areas to Set Goals Goal setting is a key element in building and growing a successful life. Setting goals can help you in so many other aspects of your life. Think of where you want to be in six months, a year, or five years. What are your dreams? When you think about them, do you find yourself smiling and thinking ‘but I could never do that, never be that’? But you can! If you want to live your dream life you need a plan, goals, and milestones to get you there. You can take control of your dreams and make them a reality, in every area of your life. Career and business Everyone has a career or business goal probably connected with what you’re already doing. But think big! Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Do you want to be CEO? Would you like to take a sabbatical and make art for a year? Whatever you want to be or do, this year, next year, or in ten years’ time, if you have a plan of action and milestones to reach it, you can get there. Finances Financial goals can support your overall life goals. Do you want to be able to afford that sabbatical or that gap year? Plan for it so you can afford it. Make up a budget you can work with to keep track of your money habits, income and spending. Add your money goals to your budget so that you’re actively working on them. Education Having educational goals can expand your future. Do you want to change careers? What do you need to learn to get there? What are your options: online study, and part-time or face-to-face classes? How will it work with your existing obligations at work and at home? If it’s not a 180-degree change, perhaps your current organization would support you. Relationships Goal setting and planning can also help improve your relationships with family and friends. Whether it’s keeping in touch or prioritizing spending time with loved ones, you’ll see the benefits. Health and Fitness Setting achievable and measurable goals is essential for losing weight or being marathon-ready. Goals also make exercise fun and keep you motivated. Personal growth Think of what you would like to achieve on a personal level. What do you want to do for yourself? It might be to become proficient at public speaking or ceramics, learn a language or commit to a yoga practice. Spiritual growth Spiritual growth might seem odd for goal setting, but think of how you want to grow this part of your life. It could be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal, committing to daily meditation practice, or a stretch goal such as becoming a yogi master. It’s great, essential even, to have dreams. But know that you can make your dreams a reality with some thinking, planning, and commitment. Take control and live your dreams. You may also like: What to do instead of resolutions Why Writing Down Your Goals is So Important You might not realize how important it is to write down your goals. Every year most people make a whole list of resolutions and then do little or nothing to keep them. How many people do you know who wish they could lose 20 kilos, get a promotion, go on a round-the-world trip, or change careers? How many people do you know who stay stuck in their comfortable rut because they don’t have the plan to get out? Achieving your goals is not down to innate talent or luck or being a better person. It comes down to planning and hard work. And the key to success is writing it all down. Writing down your goals significantly increases the likelihood of success, but most people don’t do it. And the best way to write down your goals is whatever works for you. There are smartphone apps to set your goals and mark progress. Maybe you like a concrete plan, whether it’s on paper, a diary, a whiteboard or a wall planner. Work out what suits you best and just get those goals down where you can see them! Focused goals are more achievable than goals without focus. For each of your goals write down a specific three-step plan on how you will accomplish it. Three actions are easier to commit to and simpler to achieve. It also focuses your mind on the essential things you need to do to meet your goals. For instance, if by summer your goal was to lose 10 kgs, you could write: Writing down your goals and committing to specific actions can turn your dreams into reality. How to Achieve Your Goals Think of your current life goals. How convinced are you that you’ll succeed? What’s stopping you from making that trip, losing that weight, learning that language, or running that half-marathon? What if someone said you could accomplish your #1 goal in 100 days? That there is a formula that you can use to guarantee success? You can do it if you follow these five steps Set SMART Goals Your goals need to be tight, focused, and concrete. Above all, they must be SMART. Check in on the progress You’ll keep your motivation high and your goals on course if you take regular progress checks. You’ll be able to see if any aspect of your plan is slipping and make adjustments early to get back on track. And when you set your milestones, make sure you include rewards. Keep that positive feedback loop going by celebrating and rewarding success. Be accountable to achieve your goals Achieving your goal will be easier if you’re accountable to someone else. Ask a friend, coach, or mentor to be your accountability buddy and share your progress reports with them. Don’t give up! Commit to yourself that you will keep going to achieve your 100-day goal. Everyone has bad days, and sometimes life can throw you a curveball, but it’s vital that you pick yourself up and stay on course. Keep it simple and stick to this five-step formula and you’ll be on your way to accomplishing your goal before you know it! You can also use this approach to complete subsections of your major goal, whether it’s becoming a CEO, completing that triathlon or building your business. The same principle applies – break it into smaller more achievable chunks and go for it! Part of the power of visualization is that it creates success. Having visualized success, in your mind your goal is already a reality. You already know what reaching your goal looks and feels like, all you need to do now is make it happen. Love, Everyday Ntha Share the love.

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School Essentials to Help your Child have the Best Year

nmasipa — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 22:25:38 +0000

School is very different from what it was. We are all faced with a new normal of homeschooling and virtual learning. It’s important to have the right school supplies to make the school year a success for your child despite the challenges we may face. The school programme requires more planning and organization for both parents and children. Therefore, a routine along with the proper environment is vital. These school supplies are great to help your child grow in their education whether at home or school. Studying from home is not easy. There are a lot of distractions from Netflix, lack of motivation, your bed calling you, or just lack of focus. Either way, it can be hard. Lack of study space and tools can make it even harder. Here are the school supplies you absolutely need to make your child’s year great! Backpack Having a backpack is a great way to pack your kid’s school supplies in one place. This backpack will also come in very handy when schools reopen. It’s something great to look forward to. A new backpack for a new school year. A backpack is also better for your back than sling bags, as it distributes the weight evenly. A backpack can get heavy very quickly with books, stationery, lunch box, etc. So it needs to be durable but also comfortable. One with foam padded straps and a back panel ease the burden of carrying it. Everyone needs a good fitting backpack that allows for free movement. You may also like: Educational Toys for Kids’ Stimulation Backpack for Kindergarten The best backpack for preschoolers is a lightweight durable bag. At their age, they don’t carry a lot of books and supplies so a good fitting bag is great for the little ones. This Little Kid backpack is a great start to your kids’ schooling. It’s durable and spacious for all they need. Primary School Backpack This Unisex Backpack is great for school going kids. It’s durable, lightweight, and spacious. It’s also a comfortable bag with padded shoulder straps and back panelling that won’t strain your child’s back. Backpack for high School High schoolers need a sturdy and multipurpose bag. This backpack with a USB charging port is great for any occasion. It’s got a compartment for all their school supplies. This backpack has a lot of great features to be a favourite. Desk With the amount of work being done from home, your child will need a proper working space. Having a desk of their own is motivation to get through their activities and scheduled work. This Kids Study Desk and Chair Set is a great desk that will grow with your child. It’s got adjustable features, bookshelf space, drawers and a nice comfy chair. Having their own desk can improve their productivity and focus to succeed in tasks, assignments, and exams. It helps promote their independence and responsibility for keeping it neat and clean. This blog post from Lucy Reyes is a great read for finding the perfect desk for your child. Chair Every desk needs a chair. Not just any chair but a comfortable chair that will help avoid back pain, irritability and fidgeting from long periods of sitting. A good chair encourages movement because kids have an active lifestyle. A rigid chair may cause more harm than good for their flexibility. Therefore, it’s crucial to get a chair that allows them to sit in their preferred way, to promote healthy posture. Get a chair with multiple adjustments and back support. And also allows for movement and relaxation. You can learn how to sit in a healthy posture. The wrong chair can give rise to back pain, physical stress, and bad posture. Promote healthy posture and a sense of achievement by getting your child a comfortable chair. Desk organiser A neat and tidy desk is conducive to openness and enhances learning ability. This All in One Desk Organizer is great for keeping your desk organized and everything in its place. That’s why a desk organizer is a must for your child. It will create an order and ensure that you can find what you need where and when you need it. The desk organizer below is a great crafted environmentally friendly piece to give your desk a homely feel. Pencil case Nothing is more frustrating than looking for a pen in a bag full of stuff. A pencil case is the best nifty tool to help organize pens, pencils, and small stationery items. This pencil case is durable and multi-functional. It works great for home, school and work. Tablet We can’t run or hide away from technology. The world is becoming more digitalized by the day. Working on a tablet is convenient and easier. With the current situation, online learning has become a necessity. Getting a great tablet is a great way to continue learning from home and accessing learning material. It also helps with research and virtual lessons. Online study material means less printing and saving on paper. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a great all-purpose tablet for productivity and multimedia usage. It has enough storage for all your school files and entertainment. It also has a kid mode option for parental control on inappropriate content. You may also like: 7 Simple Ways to Master Productivity for Busy Moms Desk lamp For obvious reasons, a desk lamp is important for reading and studying. But most importantly is a desk lamp that’s designed for reading on the screen. Because we are on our screens a lot an ideal desk lamp is one designed for screen reading to protect the eyesight. Desk lamps are ideal for task lightening, reading, writing, studying, computer work and more. A good desk lamp should offer clear, bright light that’s easy to work under. Also, it should have a focused beam with minimal glare, adjustable design and multilevel brightness. File set As much as a lot of work is digital, there is still some form of paperwork that we will have. These Two-Tone Color File Folders are great to keep documents safe and organized. They have tabs help to find documents easier without having to go through piles of paper before you get the page you’re looking for and a lighter inner to help file correctly. School Calendar Having a calendar i’s a great way of keeping track of important dates for assignments, tasks and exams. It’s good to also have a schedule to section off time for school work and other tasks. A calendar is more important now than ever, with distance learning and homeschooling. Kids need structure. Create a timetable for them so they stay up to date with their work. Make time for breaks and lunch during the day. Face masks This will be the norm for a while. Whether at school or just going on about your day, face masks are a necessity. And the reality is, once schools reopen your child will need a face mask. Ensure you get a breathable, light material face mask that’s durable and comfortable as they will be wearing it for long periods at a time. You need to have a variety of masks to interchange them. Lunch bag A lunch bag is a great way to pack all your child’s snacks and lunch in a convenient way. It’s important to get a durable and insulated lunch bag to keep food fresh. Having a pre-packed lunch is great to moderate what your child eats and ensures that they have healthier lunch options. This lunch bag is great for school and outings. It’s durable, multifunctional and easy to carry as well. Fun Learning corner Studying in a communal space has negative impacts because other people are moving about and there are a lot of distractions. Studying from your own space allows you to focus and work through your tasks effectively. Having a dedicated study area and equipment will help keep your books and stationery neat in one place. Improves concentration, as they’re less likely to be studying in bed. Your child will have a better learning experience in a learning environment that is functional and flexible. You want to create a space that allows for productivity while limiting distractions. Learning is definitely different, but it doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools and learning space, your child can have a great school year. I hope these essential school supplies will make homeschooling and distance learning easier for you and your kids. Love, Everyday Ntha Sharing is caring

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Why New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Work and What to do Instead

nmasipa — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 22:53:24 +0000

New years resolutions are so overrated. It used to be a thing for me each year, along with millions of other people. No plan and no idea how it would work out, but I loved having new years resolutions for setting up my year. Come February, they’re out the window. Every year, the same routine. However, I stopped a couple of years ago because clearly, it wasn’t working out. It was so discouraging at the end of the year to realize that none of my resolutions had materialized. Unfortunately, that’s the reality many people face. So, I want to clear up a few things. Firstly, resolutions aren’t wishes you write down each year hoping for the fairy godmother to make them happen. At least that’s not what they’re meant to be. According to the Cambridge dictionary a resolution is a “promise to yourself to do or not to do something”. I personally don’t make new years resolution because they just don’t last. I set goals and draw out a plan to achieve them. You may also like: How to Make a Productive Vision Board Why Resolutions don’t Work? Unrealistic Resolutions tend to be the wave of the new year, new me, new everything. Nothing wrong with that, but waves don’t last. Most people have unrealistic resolutions that they can’t keep up. The go big or go home analogy doesn’t work with resolutions because they often end up just being a pipe dream. No time frames Not having time frames, creates a lax attitude in achieving them. There is no accountability with resolutions because it’s more like a wish list. Most people just wing their resolutions thinking there’s all the time in the world. Only to wake up to another new year. No plan Failure to plan is planning to fail. Without a plan, it’s easy to be distracted, demotivated and deterred. So, in essence, a plan creates consistency and accountability for seeing things through. It’s just the in thing to do. There is often no deep consideration into what it takes to tick off the items on that list. So, if resolutions don’t work what should you do? Have a plan of action! Get your FREE Action Plan Signup for news and special offers! Be part of our newsletter where you will receive the latest resources and blog updates. You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Send me the PLAN Thank you! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Your Action Plan is on it’s way to your inbox. If it does not arrive in your inbox in 30 minutes, please check your spam folder and move us to your inbox. Why is having a plan important Action can be destructive without a plan and I’m all for taking action. Ultimately, the action is the fuel that makes your goals and dreams a reality. However, action needs to be clearly mapped out to guide and direct you. It doesn’t help taking action without knowing what the end goal is. My plan includes my vision board, planner and goal tracker. Vision boards are surrounded by their own misconceptions and naysayers. But they have worked for me in the past three years that I’ve done them. The first time I did a vision board, I went about it like I did my resolutions. I went all out CRAZY. And guess what happened? NOTHING. I couldn’t understand why nothing materialized and felt dissapointed. So I dug deep. A vision board won’t work if you don’t put in the work. Simple. You can do everything you set yourself out to do. The universe is full of opportunities and great things just for you. But nothing ever just falls into your lap. There is a lot of work and dedication required to reap the rewards. So that’s how I’ve started making my dreams a reality. To say I’ve come a long way is an understatement. I’m still far from where I’d like to be but I’ve got a lot to go on. What is a Vision Board? A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, plans and dreams. I absolutely love them. It’s a daily visual reminder of where I’m headed. How you set up your vision board makes all the difference. You can learn how to make a productive vision board in 6 easy steps in this blog post. How to make a Vision Board that works Be realistic Write down your dreams and goals Be true to who you are and where you want to be Be SMART about your goals Make room for change A great way of sticking to your goals is scheduling and having a planner. You can use this Effective Planner to help you with your planning. You may also like: Effective Scheduling you can Stick to Plan of Action Having a plan of action will direct you and keep you motivated to achieve your goals. Write down your main goalsBe as clear and concise as possible. However, try to keep to a maximum of 3 goals or less. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself to a point where you can’t keep up. Setting SMART Goals brings you closer to achieving them. What actions do you need to takeNow that you know what you want to achieve, map out the tasks you will need to do to achieve your goals. TimelinesSet deadlines for achieving your goals. ResourcesWhat do you need to achieve your goals? Books, courses, assistance, any tools and services you may need to help you reach your goals. MilestonesIt’s great to keep track of your achievements. As a result, checking and celebrating your milestone is a great motivator. It will also help you see what may not be working so you can make adjustments along the way. Your plan is not set in stone. Make necessary changesLike I’ve said your plan is not set in stone. As a result, you need to make room for change in your planning as circumstances change. Evaluate your planThis is crucial in ensuring you meet your end goal. It helps you track and monitor your progress and achievements effectively. Be honest in the evaluation and be sure to learn and grow from your experiences. This 7 step action plan is a great tool to help achieve your goals. Your goals should not be the ceiling to your potential but the springboard to maximize your dive. Don’t be afraid to dream big. Just take massive action to make those dreams come through. Get started and keep the momentum going. You can do it! Your dreams are one action at a time away. Love, Everyday Ntha Share the love

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How to Say No to Improve your Life and be Happy

nmasipa — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 21:43:10 +0000

To say no takes courage. It’s hard to hear but can be liberating to say. Getting used to this one little word could help you lead a healthier, happier life. Sometimes in life, you come to a realization that ‘it’s just not working out’ and you finally mean it, and you stand your ground. It might be a relationship, a job, or your health; learning how to say no can mean more peace in your life than saying yes. It’s important to learn what matters in life. Differentiate between the things that serve you and offer growth versus those that don’t. Sometimes saying NO to one thing can open doors to other opportunities. No is not always denial or rejection. Sometimes, it means redirection. We often are too afraid to hurt other people that we just end up agreeing with something that does not sit well with us. You may also like: How to live a purposeful life In any situation, you have a choice: yes or no. No can bring you clarity without being clouded by others’ opinion of you or the pressure of doing something just for yourself. How to say no effectively Be polite A no does not have to be rude. Use softer language such as ‘I’m not comfortable doing that’ or ‘I won’t be able to’. You don’t have to sugar coat things either. Just be upfront and to the point about it. Instead of an automatic yes, say “I’ll think about it” instead. This gives you more control and eases a hard no. It will give you time to actually think about it. Be honest Saying yes when you, in fact, want to say no, can cause more harm than good. Yes is great when it’s positive and said willingly. No does not always mean being negative or pessimistic. If you have other engagements say so. Don’t lie about why you can’t do something. Be honest. You don’t have to give excuses or make up stories. Just Say No Being assertive and standing your ground is empowering. Say no is an unaggressive yet stern manner, at work or home and with friends. Don’t compromise or feel guilty for saying no. Stand your ground and don’t back down. You are not obliged to say yes if you don’t want to. Be confidant in your why. It’s ok to just say no because you want to take time to relax. Set boundaries Find appropriate, loving and unselfish ways of drawing the line. Saying no will sift the users and chancers in your life. When you say no, people can make you feel bad for it. Don’t let that make you feel like a bad uncaring person. When boundaries are set, stick to them. In that way, people will know where they stand with you and vice versa. Saying no can be lonely but it only makes you stronger. When you start putting yourself first, you embrace the freedom that comes with saying no. You will have to accept that it may not make you popular, but you must be ok with that. People-pleasers struggle with ‘no’ I’ve been a people pleaser for as long as I can remember and mostly to my detriment. I could never stand disappointing someone, so I always ended up saying yes even I wanted to say no. It meant sacrificing my time and resources which often left me neglecting my own plans and feeling unhappy. It’s nice trying to be the hero for everyone until you realize you’ve left yourself behind and there’s no one to help you. Hard reality. But it was a good lesson. I’m more comfortable with saying no when I can’t be of help or if it’s not something I’m comfortable with. It’s still hard at times, but I’m more at ease. And very intentional about my self-care and prioritizing the things that fit into my scheme of life. Saying no is not selfish or being mean. Unless you’re just a mean person of course. Not the same thing by the way. Learning how to say no guides you in two main ways: Self-discipline and controlWhen you say a silent no to yourself when someone cuts you off in the road or takes your parking space. It’s an internal control mechanism that helps steer you in the right direction. Creates healthy boundariesSetting boundaries helps you have meaningful relations without feeling used. You can’t be everything to everyone all the time. Without boundaries, you will find yourself worn out and overwhelmed. Saying no does not always mean being unkind or impolite, although it carries those negative connotations. It doesn’t come easy to say no, because as human beings we want to be liked. Saying no is a learned behaviour. The more you practice saying it the more confidant you will be to decline invites, extra work or anything you are not interested in. Say no and mean it. You will be more at ease and happier about it. Love, Everyday Ntha Share the love

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