December 15, 2025 The Power of Saying No to Good Things
Here’s a truth nobody tells you: sometimes the enemy of great isn’t bad - it’s good.
I know, I know. It sounds backwards, right? We spend so much time trying to avoid the bad stuff that we forget the good stuff can trip us up too. But stick with me here, because this might be the most freeing thing you hear all week.
Think about your life right now. How many good things are you juggling? Maybe you’re on three committees, volunteering at school, helping a friend with their project, coaching little league, and trying to keep your own household from falling apart. None of these things are bad. In fact, they’re all genuinely good. But here’s the kicker - when everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.
The power of saying no isn’t about being selfish or lazy. It’s about being wise enough to know that your time, energy, and attention are precious gifts. You only get so much of each, and once they’re spent, they’re gone. You can’t get them back, no matter how hard you try.
When you say yes to every good opportunity, you’re actually saying no to the great ones without even realizing it. You’re saying no to quiet mornings with your kids. No to that dream you’ve been putting off. No to the deep, meaningful work that only you can do. No to rest, to peace, to being fully present in the moments that matter most.
I learned this the hard way. For years, I packed my schedule so full of good things that I had no room left for the best things. I was exhausted, stretched thin, and constantly feeling like I was letting someone down. Then one day it hit me: I was letting someone down - myself, my family, and ironically, the very people I thought I was helping by saying yes to everything.
Saying no is a superpower. It’s how you protect your purpose. It’s how you guard your peace. It’s how you make space for what truly matters.
The beautiful thing? When you start saying no to good things, you create room for great things. You discover that you can actually do a few things with excellence instead of doing many things poorly. You show up better because you’re not running on empty. You become more valuable to the people and projects that truly need you.
So here’s your permission slip: You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You can choose. And choosing wisely isn’t selfish - it’s smart.
Action Point: This week, identify one “good thing” on your plate that’s keeping you from a “great thing.” Write it down. Then practice saying this out loud: “Thank you for thinking of me, but I need to pass on this opportunity.” Say it until it feels comfortable. Then actually do it. Say no to that good thing, and watch how saying yes to something better changes everything.
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