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5 Ways Saying No Will Transform Your Life

One of the biggest lessons in life for a successful person is learning to say no

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One of the biggest problems in society is that we are taught to follow trends and move through life without questioning authority. School, as well as post-secondary education, teaches us to follow rules, please our teachers, and follow trends so we fit in. While seemingly harmless, you’re learning to prioritize other people over your own personal and professional success. 

One of the biggest lessons in life for a successful person is learning to say no. I can’t stress enough the power of the word no. 

1. You Establish Boundaries 

You indeed teach people how to treat you. The way you see the world around you is a reflection of what’s going on inside of you. When you establish firm boundaries, you protect your time and energy because you don’t allow other people to take advantage of you. Start small and work your way up over a period of time. It can be difficult to set and maintain boundaries because you’ve been conditioned since early childhood to say “yes” and agree with society.

This has been harming you, albeit unknowingly because you are now uncomfortable with saying “no.” To set and maintain boundaries, however, you must start saying no to people, places, and things that are no longer serving you or hindering your progress. If you’re not evolving, your growth is slowing and you eventually become your own worst enemy. 

2. You become more focused

Now that you’re in a routine of setting and maintaining your boundaries, you have the time and energy to focus on what matters most. The most common areas of personal development in life are work, family, health, and wealth, to name a few. If any of these are ignored, your life loses balance and you are out of alignment with purposeful living.

When you prioritize what matters most, you can budget your time, energy, and resources in these areas so you can function optimally. Having control over your own life will set your mind at ease because you’re doing the best you can with what you can control. This isn’t to say you have to live like a robot and work constantly; this knocks you out of balance because you’re ignoring the other areas of your life that need attention.

My point is that setting and maintaining boundaries allows you to be more focused and work on what matters.

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” – Warren Buffett

3. You take back your power

Saying “no” lets you take back your power because protecting your time and energy is an act of self-discipline that sets you up to exceed in all areas of your life. Life is full of distractions, from friends who drain us of our energy, to wasting time thinking negative thoughts and obsessing over what could happen. When you discipline yourself to cut these activities out, you’re making yourself a priority because you’re doing what’s best for you.

Now, some people may try to criticize you but remember, only you know what’s best for you. The only way to combat the negative aspects of this world is to work on yourself, step up to the plate, and protect your own space so you can maintain a healthy balance in all areas of your life. Although saying “no” may not sound agreeable at first, people-pleasing is an act that will rapidly drain you before you can achieve your goals. Excessively saying “yes” to everyone and everything is only giving away your power.

You can’t pour from an empty cup, so learn to say no and take back your power.

4. Gain respect and appreciation

When people observe you set and maintain firm boundaries and you prioritize your own life, people realize they cannot take advantage of you. This reduces your risk of being an easy target for people who want to bring you down because you refuse to lower your standards for anyone else.  This will ultimately lead to people respecting you because you respect yourself, by protecting your own life and creating meaning in everything you do.

Again, it may seem uncomfortable at first, but saying no and being firm in your response communicates to others that you have priorities and you won’t allow anyone or anything to get in the way of your goals.  Choose people, places, activities and things that support you and have your best interest at heart. This may mean keeping your circle of friends small and investing more time learning a new skill after work, or sometimes just letting things be so you can relax.

When others see that you respect yourself and limit people and activities that can hinder your progress, they will respect you because you command it.  

5. You Learn Self-Empowerment

This is your life and only you can determine how far you’ll go. Parents, teachers, coaches, and bosses can guide you, only you can determine what opportunities you take and how much effort you put into them. This is because it’s your life and only you know what you truly want. It may take time and years of exploration to find your likes and dislikes, but this is part of the equation- you have to go out and try new things.

People are trained from childhood to please their parents and teachers, but learning to say “no” is one of the greatest life lessons because you’re firm in your decision to govern your own life. Parents and teachers generally want what’s best for you to live the life they may not have had, but in the end, you must determine the course of your own life.

There’s no one else in the world who is you, so cultivate your talents and apply yourself relentlessly so you can go as far as you can.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that there should be a lot more “no’s” than “yes’s” in your life if you want to maximize your full potential. If someone or something is not moving you forward, it’s holding you back because you’re valuable and worthy of so much more. Saying no is the key to taking back your power and living a life of prosperity.  

Ready To Achieve Your Goals? Read more blogs about reaching your goals and success on Addicted 2 Success

Derek Parks is a freelance direct-response copywriter with a background in digital marketing efforts. With experience in various industries including b2b, education, and nonprofits, Derek has the experience to create carefully crafted copy for your marketing strategy that converts like a charm.

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Change Your Mindset

4 Tips On How To Write Down Your Goals To Actually Reach Them

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4 Tips to Writing Down Your Goals Effectively

Everyone has goals. Whether small (“I’d like to lose 5 pounds before the summer”) or big (“I’d like to make a million dollars next year”). 

There’s a huge gap between having goals and accomplishing them. The act of writing down your goals plays an important part in closing this gap and reaching your goals.  According to a study done on Harvard MBA students, within ten years’ time, the students who had written down their goals were making ten times as much as their classmates who hadn’t written down their goals.

What to write out in your goals 

1. Clearly define your goals

This may be harder than you think. That’s because oftentimes, we get caught up in our daily routines and lose track of our true desires in life. Most people are guided by their circumstances. But there are a few people who shape their lives according to their goals. Who do you think is happier: the person who is defined by their circumstances or the person who creates their circumstances? Which category are you in now? Which category do you want to be in?

Chances are, you’re in the first group. But, the good news is that if you’re reading this article, you’re probably trying to make it to the second category. In order to do this, you have to take stock of your situation. That means taking some time to sit down and reflect. Find some quiet, alone time. Sit down and consider your current situation from all angles and write down your observations.

If you need some help doing this, consider answering the following questions:

  • Where are you now?
  • Where do you want to be?
  • What do you have to do to get there?

“It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2. Look at the big picture

Envision where you want to be next year, the year after or five years from now. Think about long-term goals. Don’t think about details or how you will accomplish them. Simply allow yourself to dream and to think about what it is you truly want. Whether it’s a personal or professional goal, just let your heart speak. Maybe you want to be married with children in five years’ time. Maybe you want to run a marathon. Or you want a job that you both love and that pays you well. Or you want to take time off to travel. Whatever it is, no matter how far from your current circumstances it may be, write it down.

 

3. Look at the small picture

Now, is when you start to fill in the gap between where you are now and your dreams. What is the first step? If you want to be married and have children, fill out a profile on an online dating site or let your friends know that you’re interested in meeting someone. If you want to run a marathon, get yourself a personal trainer at a gym or join a running club. Maybe visit a sports nutritionist to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need in order to stay healthy and competitive.

If you want to land your dream job, think about your qualifications. Do you need to take some courses in order to be a candidate for the job you want? If you already qualify, start sending out your resume. If you want to travel, how could you convince your boss to let you take the time off? What about arrangements for a house-sitter or sub-letter? Who could take care of your pets? What other steps are there between you and your goal? Map them out, step by step.

 

4. Use positive Self Talk

When writing down your goals, try to put things in a positive way. Negative goal setting implies that you’re doing something wrong. It’s like scolding yourself for not doing better.

Below, I will provide 4 examples:

  • Don’t say: Stop dating losersInstead say: Find a successful, loving, supportive partner.
  • Don’t say: Stop being lazyInstead say: Improve my fitness to have the body I want and increase my health, energy and self-esteem.
  • Don’t say: Quit your dead-end jobInstead say: Find a job that matches my skills, passions and financial goals.
  • Don’t say: Stop putting off traveling. Instead say: Prepare the way for an incredible traveling adventure.

Putting a positive spin on the language you use can make you feel excited about tackling your goals. Such an attitude will help you overcome hurdles and make you determined to reach your future accomplishments.

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” – Napoleon Hill

Whatever your goals are, studies show that the act of writing them down can have a significant impact on their outcome. Defining exactly what it is that you want, setting up the steps to get there, and saying it all in a positive way are powerful steps to realizing your dreams. So, grab a pen and get started.

Ready To Write Down Your Goals & Reach Them? Read more blogs about reaching your goals and success on Addicted 2 Success

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Change Your Mindset

Need Help Reaching Your Goals? This 6 Step Process Is For You

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how to reach your goals
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Nobody wants to fail and everyone wants to succeed. Every day, people are struggling to reach their goals and achieve success. A failure is a painful event and one that almost all of us work tirelessly to avoid. However, no matter who you are, failure is unavoidable. Not only that, but as much as you hate to fail, failure is still necessary for your success. There can be no success without failure. (more…)

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Life

Don’t Forget the Hard Times Embrace Them to Grow

A dream may never become a reality if you fail to learn from what made it impossible in your past

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A dream may never become a reality if you fail to learn from what made it impossible in your past. Each trial I have faced strengthened me, increased my confidence, and instilled in me the discipline to seek accountability for my life.  (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

5 Ways To Achieve Your Goals (With Examples)

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Accomplishing mountians

Setting goals is a crucial first step, whether you’re striving to reach personal or professional milestones. However, achieving those goals requires planning, determination, and focus. In this post, we’ll discuss five actionable strategies that can help you achieve your goals in 2023, and we’ll provide real-life examples to inspire and motivate you. By implementing these tips, you can train your brain to achieve your goals and make meaningful progress toward your aspirations.

1. Write Down Your Goals

The first thing needed to achieve a goal is to have one. A goal becomes very clear and precise once you have written it down most simply and easily to remember.

Here are some examples:

  • I am the world’s best dancer!
  • I am the greatest athlete!
  • I have created the world’s most innovative tech company!

They are all written with the belief that these things have already happened. Once you start believing it has already happened, other people too can sense your confidence and things start happening.

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” — Andrew Carnegie

2. The One Page Plan

A simple one-page plan to accompany your goal is much more powerful than a detailed 30-page plan. After you have written your clear goal – write down all the things you will have to do to achieve it. Make it as simple and direct as possible so that you can refer to it every day and take action. A simple plan is easier to follow and keep up with.

3. Get The Right Skills

Once you have a clear goal that has been inked into your mind, and a clear plan in place, it is very important to invest in the skills you need to achieve your goal.

So for example, if you want to become a movie star, you should immediately start developing your acting skills. Observe how other actors perform, join an acting class, read about acting, and most importantly, start honing your craft by joining a local theatre group and going for as many auditions as you can. Practice is very important for mastering any skill.

Struggling To Achieve Your Goals? Here Are 9 Possible Reasons Why! 

4. Surround Yourself With The Best People

The best way to achieve our goals is to make sure we have the best people supporting us. People who succeed are always those who understand the power of people.

So let’s say your goal is to be an entrepreneur and you have developed your entrepreneurial skills, the next step would be to get the best people to join your team to help you achieve your goal. These would be people who you consider to be the best marketers capable of getting you the best customers and investors.

Once you have the best people supporting you, it becomes much easier and faster to achieve your goals.

“It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence, the power you have over other people’s lives.” – Clint Eastwood

5. Power of Faith

Nothing beats the power of faith and belief. Sometimes you might face challenges, sometimes things might not be going your way, and you might feel like giving up – these are the times when faith and belief will keep you going.

So many people give up, just a few inches away from victory. I am sure you are not one of them since you are investing time into self-development which gives the highest returns! Now go out there and start achieving your goals!

Need more motivation? Read our blogs on motivation and become your best self now!

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