♦ Technique #2: 2-Step Absolute Yes List
Once you've had a chance to define what is important, you're ready to create an Absolute Yes list. This is a new list of priorities that will inspire you to use your gift of time differently. Forget about the "shoulds," and focus on the "wants." This is your life.

1. Choose priorities that are personally important to you.

2. Make a list with at least five categories that need changing in your life such as, self-care, relationship with a certain family member, self-imposed deadlines, school, and household chores. After listing your new priorities in descending order, expand on each priority and think of ways to improve that area of your life. How will you bring your priorities into your daily life?

For example, if self-care is on your Absolute Yes list, look for ways to include self-care in everyday tasks or events like spending quiet time with yourself, daily meditation, and exercise. Let your Absolute Yes list remind you of what's important; what you really want. When you know what you want, your focus becomes crystal clear; you are able to honor your priorities in any situation.

♦ Technique #3: "Just Say No"
Once you've determined what you want to say yes to, the ability to say no becomes an important muscle to build. An inability to use this muscle is the main obstacle that prevents most people from living the lives they want. This is why your Absolute Yes list must be filled with things that are truly important to you.

When your priorities are compelling, it's great motivation to "just say no." Over the next week, keep track of how many times you agree to something that's not a true Yes! Notice how you regret a commitment you've already made, like agreeing to go to a social event that you'd rather not attend. Mark the number of times in your appointment book and total it at the end of the week. Now look at the number. Are you surprised? Saying yes to things that are not a priority for you will rob you of your precious gift of time. Awareness is the first step.

What stops you from saying no?

Common responses to this question are statements such as:
If I say no, I may disappoint others.
If I say no, then I'll have to deal with the reactions that others may have.
I'm afraid of rocking the boat and creating conflict.
If I say no, I may regret it later.
If I say no, people won't like me.
If I say no, people may stop asking.
If I say no, there may be serious consequences - someone may end our relationship or get angry, or I may lose my job.
It's easier to just say yes.

The common denominator in all of these statements is fear. Saying no brings up a fear of disappointing or hurting others, missing opportunities, and making mistakes. But saying no means saying yes to you! Use your Absolute Yes list as a guide. Don't let the fear of saying no prevent you from living the life you want.

If you could say no to someone or something, knowing that there would be absolutely no hard feelings or negative consequences, who or what would you say no to? Is there a project you would give up? A relationship you would end? A date you might break? Answering this question may reveal your true motivation behind those commitments you make and later regret. You may be more afraid of rocking the boat than of honoring your priorities.

Now make a list of five things you'd like to say no to. You may have things on there like: I want to say no to watching my sister's kids every Sunday; I want to say no to cooking dinner every night; or I want to say no to having lunch with my mother every Thursday. Start with the first no on your list and take action. It's OK to say no or change your mind, especially when you feel overwhelmed or pressed for time. They may feel disappointed or angry, but it doesn't make you decision to say no the wrong choice. There will be moments when creating a high-quality life will require you to disappoint others.

Start making commitments that work for you. If you think you can finish a project in a week, say you'll need two, and deliver it early. Instead of using deadlines to motivate you, let a relaxed pace allow you to enjoy the process. This gives you room to breathe and helps you build a reputation as someone who keeps his or her word.

In this section, we have discussed Yes's and should's and what stops you from saying no.

In the next section, we will discuss the Money Trap part 1.
Reviewed 2023

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article References:
Bailen, N. H., Wu, H., & Thompson, R. J. (2019). Meta-emotions in daily life: Associations with emotional awareness and depression. Emotion, 19(5), 776–787. 

Bardeen, J. R., & Fergus, T. A. (2020). Emotion regulation self-efficacy mediates the relation between happiness emotion goals and depressive symptoms: A cross-lagged panel design. Emotion, 20(5), 910–915. 

Cetinkol, G., Bastug, G., & Ozel Kizil, E. T. (2020). Poor acceptance of the past is related to depressive symptoms in older adults. GeroPsych: The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry. Advance online publication. 

Fried, E. I., van Borkulo, C. D., Epskamp, S., Schoevers, R. A., Tuerlinckx, F., & Borsboom, D. (2016). Measuring depression over time . . . Or not? Lack of unidimensionality and longitudinal measurement invariance in four common rating scales of depression. Psychological Assessment, 28(11), 1354–1367. 

Milyavskaya, M., Inzlicht, M., Hope, N., & Koestner, R. (2015). Saying “no” to temptation: Want-to motivation improves self-regulation by reducing temptation rather than by increasing self-control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(4), 677–693. 

Robyak, J. E. (1991). Review of Saying no is not enough [Review of the book Saying no is not enough, by R. Schwebel]. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 5(1), 56–57.

Watson, K. (2015). No, thank YOU. Families, Systems, & Health, 33(4), 421.

QUESTION 9
What is a common denominator in saying no? To select and enter your answer go to Test.

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