Last week I discovered that there’s one word that has made a difference in my life and business this year.
The word is not motivation, affirmations, purpose…and all the usual personal development suspects. It’s also not growth, success, business, and those other usual suspects.
It’s simply the word NO.
NO is a complete sentence
This AHA occurred last week as I spoke to someone who had been referred to me for coaching. She came into the Discovery Call very guarded. It was as if she expected me to force her into coaching.
I listened to her give reasons why she didn’t think she required coaching. Then I gave her the only answer that worked for me.
I said NO.
She actually didn’t require coaching but was expecting me to talk her into it. I wasn’t going to do that because she really didn’t need coaching. She just needed someone to help her get unstuck and identify a very low-hanging fruit that would revamp her stalled business immediately. We did that in less than 15 minutes and she was off to implement.
Learning to say NO doesn’t come easy. I’ve taken years to get to the point where I can say it and not feel guilty. I also make NO a complete sentence. I don’t give any explanations because the more you try to explain your NO, the more likely it is that you’ll turn it into an unwanted Yes!
Saying NO has helped me say YES to what matters most
NO has become a very powerful and freedom-activating word this year. It’s helped me gain control of my time, energy, business, and finances.
By saying NO to a lot of things, I’ve been able to narrow down what I do and work with people who fit my style of coaching. I’ve shed off relationships that were no longer working. I’ve stopped running around trying to catch everything because of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Over the last 2 months, I’ve really slowed down. I now have more time to:
- Write blog posts…something I had slowed down on in the first part of the year.
- Just be still.
- Reconnect with the core of who I am.
- Have deep and meaningful conversations with my family, friends, and clients (former and current).
- Explore new recipes, watch movies, read novels, and even take naps on Sunday afternoons.
I have more time to be me and enjoy life amidst the chaos brought about by COVID-19!
Over to you…
That’s my reflection today. How about you? What’s the most important word in your vocabulary so far this year? Feel free to share in the Comments.
In the meantime, keep well and stay safe.
Caroline
2 replies to "The Most Important Word in My Vocabulary So Far This Year"
Powerful message right there. Saying No is what I am slowly learning to do. I know I will get a hang of it soon. : )
Thank you, Miriam. No is a powerful word and a complete sentence. Embrace and use it wisely and you’ll be amazed at how much you regain over your life.