By Randy Capps
I’ve seen it attributed to a number of folks, but it was from Anne Lamott where I first heard “No is a complete sentence.”
It’s a simple, yet powerful piece of advice that can quickly declutter your daily life. Most people are hardwired with the need to explain or justify their decisions. It’s natural. You don’t want to disappoint anyone, or have your choices hurt someone’s feelings.
But, at the end of the day, you are your own greatest advocate — and the world’s foremost expert on what makes you happy. With that great power comes great responsibility.
So, when you make a choice that makes your life’s journey easier, and that choice is “no,” just say so. Don’t offer justification. Don’t invite an opportunity for them to change your mind. If no is the right choice at that moment, own it.
This sounds a little cold, but saving yourself from the emotional drain of committing to things you’d rather not do leaves you in a better position to help those same people when it matters most.
The best version of you can do more, and make a bigger difference in the lives of those you care about — but only if you can unapologetically say no every now and then.
It really is a complete sentence.
