It hardly seems possible that we’re already into November. Perhaps it’s because it took until the middle of October to finally begin to feel like fall. But, as soon as it was cool enough to wear big sweaters and boots, I had a feeling that before we knew it, the Holiday’s would be on our door step.
Thankfully though, we have a few weeks yet before Thanksgiving, and a little more time to enjoy the beauty of this season. For me, this fall has looked like coming up with new paleo recipes involving the apples we picked at a local orchard. Taking some creative trips with Tony, and one trip to see family. And beginning to sketch out a format for my first book. Not a slow season by any means, but a good one.
Over the years, I have learned it’s in these busy times that it is so important to be thoughtful about our yeses. To know what is most important for us and our loved ones in this season, and then make sure that all we commit to align with those goals. This means, there will always be opportunities—even good opportunities—we need to turn down. Times where we want to say yes, but we need to say no.
Continuing our No-vember series, today I am sharing some wise words about saying no from Steve Jobs, one thing I’ve learned about saying no, and a good book for those of us who feel like God isn’t giving us the answers we want in life.
Love
Last month, one of my favorite authors, Annie F. Downs released her newest book, Remember God. In it she shares her story of a year in which she felt God was finally going to say a big “yes” to one of her heart’s deepest prayers. Only, He didn’t. On this journey, she kept wrestling with the question “Is God Kind?” and shares the amazing ways God met her with an answer.
If you have been praying for something for a long time, and it feels like God is giving you the silent treatment—or even a strong “no,” this is such a good read for your soul. I highly recommend picking it up.
What good books have you read lately?
Learn
One thing I have learned about saying no, is that often people aren’t as upset as we think they’re going to be. As a recovering people pleaser, I used to worry over how someone was going to respond if I couldn’t give them the “yes,” I thought they wanted. But you know what? In most cases, even if they were disappointed, it didn’t change their relationship with me. Even if they got upset, they usually got over it pretty quickly. This has taught me, that it really is ok to say no.
Have you ever worried someone would be upset if you told them no?
Lead
“Focusing is about saying no.”
— Steve Jobs
In a video from 1997, highlighted in this article, Steve Jobs shares with his team at Apple why they had to say no to so many projects that year. In most cases, many of the things they stopped working on, he admits, were good things. But in order for Apple to succeed, they had to focus in on the things that would most likely take them where they wanted to go.
As leaders, we often get the hard job of saying,“no.” It’s awful. But we have to remember—and remind our teams—that in order to focus in on our most important goals, we have to let go of some good things, to take a hold of the best things.
Where have you said no to something good, for something better?
Where do you need to say no, to focus in on what is most important?
Are you in the midst of making a hard decision? Contemplating a big life change? If so, you may be interested in my FREE Making Changes Checklist that I give to all my email friends. Want your free copy? subscribe here.
