Learning how to control your time goes a long way to increasing your productivity and setting priorities. The first step is learning to say “no” to things that don’t serve your goals.
So many of us are natural people pleasers and saying “no” feels weird and “mean.” It’s not. Remember, when you say “YES” to something you don’t want to do, you are actually saying “NO” to a whole lot of other things (and people) that are more worth your time.
The opposite is also true. When you say “no” you are actually saying “yes” to your priorities. Remember that the next time you are compelled to agree to do something before you have given it any thought.
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How to Control Your Time By Saying No To These Things
Say NO to opportunities that really don’t benefit you.
When you are job searching or starting a new career you may feel compelled to follow up on every opportunity or task that comes your way. Don’t! Set priorities and make guidelines for accepting opportunities.
Ask yourself:
- “Is this in alignment with my goals?”
- “Will this further my career?”
- “Do I actually want this job?”
- “What is the worst thing that will happen if I don’t pursue this?”
Say NO to some networking opportunities.
Again, when you are looking for a new job it is important to network and put yourself out there. But not all networking opportunities are equal. Make sure the event is worth your time. Make a list of the people you want to meet there and have a plan on how to get in front of them.
Say NO to overworking.
Balancing your time for fun, rest, exercise, and creative time is just important as the grind. Your creative ideas will most likely come to you when you are not focusing on work. Burnout is real, and can actually slow down your job search or set you up for failure in a new job.
Say NO to doing everything yourself.
Getting help, delegating, creating teams, and seeking out advice are all great ways to avoid burnout. It also shows that you are a team player who values others’ input and expertise. No person is an island and if you try to be you will drown.
Say NO to ignoring your health.
True success means taking care of all areas of your life, not just your career. You really can’t do your best if you don’t feel your best. Don’t let your health be the first thing you start to ignore when you get busy. Eat right and get enough sleep and exercise. Without your health, you won’t even have a career.
Say NO to negativity.
You need to avoid negative people and situations. The most successful people in the world do not consume news 24/7. The quickest way to become depressed and overly worried is by consuming too much negative news. Most of the news we digest is related to things we can’t do anything about anyway. Think about how much time you’d have if you stopped watching the news. Try it for a day and see how you feel.
The same goes for negative people. Avoid people who drag you down and complain all the time. Surround yourself with positivity and positive things will happen.
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