How to Set Boundaries and Say No

A few days ago, we had an insightful conversation on our Facebook page about what to tell a friend who is stretched too thin because she can't say no. Our amazing community had some excellent responses.

"No" isn't negative. We often feel guilty about saying no, as if we're doing something wrong by turning down a request or invitation. But saying no is often positive, as it allows us to schedule time for our own activities or simply to rest, which helps us feel energized for those intivations we say yes to. As one Facebook member put it, saying no is, "necessary for setting boundaries and self-presevation."

You always say no to something. If you say yes to an invitiation or other request for your time, you're saying no to something else by default, whether it's time to relax, engage in a hobby or do an activity with your family. It's important to set your priorities and consciously decide what to say no to. 

Know your dreams. If you have a clear picture of your dreams and goals and understand the steps it takes to reach them, you are more likely to say no to things that take too much time away from your priorities. As one member said, having "meaningful goals in place" makes it easier to decide when to say yes.