How to Set the Right Boundaries

We give our power away when we say yes when we really mean no. The first step in learning to set appropriate boundaries is to become aware of what we want to give in any situation.

Not everyone will appreciate your assertiveness but you will feel good about yourself because you didn't back down.

Think of a situation recently when you were being pressured to do something and you declined. How were you able to do that?

Saying no can be positive when it frees you to do what is most beneficial for you and others. Saying yes too many times may mean that you're trying to seduce others into liking you by being who they want you to be. Have faith that they will like you even better for who you are. And if they don't, you may need to move on.

How can we get a handle on saying no? We need to evaluate new requests for our help with the existing commitments we have, then make a choice based upon what seems most important at the moment. In other words, if you say yes to a request, you most likely will have to let another commitment go, rather than do both.

Adapted from In Her Power: Reclaiming Your Authentic Self and Time For Me.