Yes, no, and what really matters
It’s that time time of year when many of us are reckoning with how 2016 went down while also anticipating what 2017 will be. Here at Sage Headquarters, I’m appreciating a practice I’ve adopted this year that makes this process a bit more streamlined than usual. It started like this.
When I turned 47 this year, I promised myself that I’d start living like a woman of my age—meaning that it is no longer realistic to expect that I have the energy, stamina, and brainpower of a 27-year-old woman. It has taken me much of the two decades between these two ages to learn this lesson, because I have endless goals and dreams along with a great many responsibilities.
After reckoning with the truth of my not-quite-superhuman resources, it was time to come up with a system for prioritizing my commitments. That’s when I made myself this diagram.
What this means to me is: When I clarify what really matters to me, it’s far easier to identify when to say YES. And because every YES requires saying NO to other possibilities, it’s far easier to let go of those opportunities when I am clear about their lesser importance.
This approach has helped me manage my time, energy, and money far more effectively. For example, because publishing Fierce on the Page was a top priority for me in 2016, I said NO to a number of client projects, social invitations, and volunteer opportunities that would have made it impossible for me to deliver on this commitment. And when I made a contribution in your honor to Together Rising in response to the devastation in Aleppo, I identified how I would reduce spending elsewhere to make up the difference.
See what I mean? Every YES anchors our deepest commitments and greatest goals. And every NO frees up more resources to fulfill them. {tweet it} When we clarify what matters and stay grounded in that sweet spot, we don’t have to perform like a 27-year-old for the rest of our lives. Because we’ve aligned our time, energy, and money with what we really want. And this gives us the best chance of getting it.
How do you manage your time, energy, and money in a way that reflects your desires and values? What will you say YES and NO to in 2017?
