Four days ago, my friend and colleague, Alexandra Wade, shared an experience that she went through. Alexandra described how in many of her relationships over the years, she found herself saying ‘yes’ very often. This matter caught my eye, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it since I read Alexandra’s piece.

Most people hate saying no. we don’t like the idea of disappointing others, of coming off as noncooperative. However, knowing and learning how to say no is one of the most important and valuable skills to own. It is not healthy for us to say yes when we want to say no.

You have to understand that you can’t do everything. Trying to say yes to everything is a sure way to leave you feeling tired and drained. Again, focus on the things that you really care about; on what you actually want to do. Save energy for yourself and the things you want to do. Stop accepting responsibilities that are truly important and related to you.

Get your priorities straight. Once you learn how to prioritize your tasks effectively it can help you become more efficient, save time, and get some stress off of you. Once you know what’s most important, it’s easier to decide where to focus your energy.

It is important to also define your boundaries. Setting boundaries can be hard, I know, especially with the people you love. It may cause you guilt, but it is very important. However, you have to remember that caring for yourself -speaking of prioritizing – is a top priority.

Lastly, you have to understand that you can’t satisfy everyone. Trying to make everyone happy is a sure way to frustration and stress. It is an impossible mission. You may fear that people will be disappointed in you and will leave you. However, know that most people won’t think less of you, and those who do probably shouldn’t be in your life anyway.