“No” as a positive

This year I was nominated for president. That’s right friends, I’m the big cheese at our local Toastmasters club.

I’m honored, however, the role comes with the expectation that I will attend other meetings and training outside the club. I already have plenty of commitments in addition to Toastmasters so the idea of trying to squeeze in more had me in a tizz.

And then this radical thought came to me…

I can say no …
WITHOUT feeling guilty.
AND … I don’t need to give an elaborate reason …
NOR do I need to expend energy on justifying my decision to myself.

It can just be a “no”.
With a full-stop. Sans comma.

My “no” might not be what’s expected but it’s what’s needed if I’m to have work/life balance and the only person who can defend that position for me, is me.

Photo by Daniel Herron on Unsplash