It was with these feelings that I decided to take a little break.
Best decision ever!
During this break, my 'blog eyes' were opened and I saw that I was drowning in my own success.
Now, by talking about success I am not saying I am some big shot awesome blogger, I am talking about the progress that my blog has made, the emails that arrive in my mailbox and the opportunities that keep coming my way.
Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the opportunities I have had and have loved participating in so many of them.
I read a statement that sums up how I feel perfectly:
"Saying 'NO' to opportunity is painful. But necessary. Because the more successful you get, the more opportunities flow your way. People line up. But if you say 'YES' to everybody and everything, you will soon drown in your own success." Dan Kennedy
I have been saying 'YES' to everything and everyone for too long.
I have been drowning in my blog success and before Christmas actually drowned!
This year I plan on saying 'No' A LOT. I plan on swimming, with my head out of water and having fun whilst doing so.
This does not mean that I will not participate in opportunities. I plan on enjoying some of the great opportunities that come my way and having a total blast whilst doing so.
What it does mean is that this year I will be more mindful and careful of the pressure I put upon myself, I will be saying no more and protecting my family time and time for me.
Having a blog has helped me learn so many new life skills and this year I am practicing the skill of saying No.
Boldly and deliberately. A great lesson to learn.
Good for you, Naomi xx
ReplyDeleteThat is a useful skill.
ReplyDeletethanks ladies x
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely, it's my key to making it through the next 2 years of husband at war & living interstate, plus 4 children & building a house. I am saying no to all business & volunteer opportunities as MY family needs me & they come first.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year & congratulations on saying no, it was my only resolution this year, it's empowering. Love Posie
Saying no is so hard and I get what you mean. Same here...setting limits, because the blog really is just an extension of our lives...our real lives are really more important IMO.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear Naomi...."No" can be just as powerful and rewarding as "Yes"!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Naomi. I think one of the lessons we all need to come to on our own is making choices - saying yes to the things that are right FOR US and no to the ones that are not - without guilt, without endless explanations, without obligation. If you follow your heart you will be happier.
ReplyDeleteI'll be joining you, Naomi. At the end of last year I started saying ``no'' more often and felt a huge amount of pressure lifted! Now, to continue it!
ReplyDeleteHoping 2012 is a good one for you. x
I'm so glad you'll be saying no more. Being a yes person can be so draining. Looking forward to your journey in 2012!
ReplyDeletexxx
I read this post and found myself agreeing with you because that is just how I feel. I know I got caught with the succes last year and said yes too often. Then found myself stressed and time challenged and not enjoying the process because I had a deadline. So this year I will also being saying a non guilty no more often too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments ladies and I appreciate that I am not the only one feeling this way. I am still learning how to say no but I must say it is easier to say no in an email than face to face :)
ReplyDeleteI have trouble saying no in my life too. Great resolution you have for the new year! Hope you have a fun stress-free year :)
ReplyDeleteI am a great believer in only saying yes to things I am passionate about. That way I stay true to who I am, I rarely grow weary of it and it doesnt take over my life. I look forward to seeing what you say yes to, and the stuff you say no too will be picked up by someone who has the passion for it so you neednt worry about letting the company, or people down. All the best.
ReplyDeletelearning to say has been one of the greatest things i've ever done - so much that i probably say it too often but i [and Guv] must come first.
ReplyDeleteonce you've got the saying no down pat, you just have to find the right balance between yes and no that works for you!
~x~
Amen! I hear ya. My two unexpected surgeries over the Christmas week made me wake up and realize I need to do this.
ReplyDeleteI have been saying no more and it has been great. I've found it has created space for better opportunities
Well done! No is a very powerful word :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you Naomi, I honestly do not know how you even find the time to blog...it is simply amazing. I guess it is your outlet though and somewhere to retreat at the end of each day;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such an important lesson. Defintely what I needed to hear to start the new year. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWell done Naomi. I had to learn to say no in my business after a very successful first year. The pressure was driving me to a meltdown as I could not say no to requests and demands. And so people kept coming to me as I didn't say no! I had 2 weeks off on leave and sorted my racing mind out, then put some boundaries in place and started saying no. Now I have no trouble saying it and boy it feels good. I still give myself a quiet little high five whenever I do it.
ReplyDeleteWell done, you will appreciate your blog and the opportunities so much more and will no doubt feel less strain. Enjoy! xo
I really need to learn that word. I don't say it well. I am guilty of taking on more and more and not giving myself the chance to stop and breath I love that you are taking care of the things that need taking care of and that you are managing to make it work. good for you!
ReplyDeleteWow, 'NO' in a good way seems to be quite a common theme for 2012 amongst us blogger...more power to us :)
ReplyDeleteOh Sweetheart. I'm so sorry to hear what you've been going through but am delighted to see you've worked out what you need to do. Best of luck! J x
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be the year of NO for many of us. I love the personal experiences you have shared thanks. N x
ReplyDeleteHi Naomi, good on you, you sound empowered and strong about your decision which I think is a wise one. xo
ReplyDeleteGood on you Naomi. You've got a gorgeous family that needs you, you don't need to be exhausted from your blogging. I'm glad to hear you think you've found your place in all of this.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Naomi.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about this of late. Towards the end of last year, I started to feel the pressure of my commitments. I felt bad for saying no to things, but I just couldn't commit to what they wanted. But it was better then the guilt of not being able to follow through on the commitments later!
x
Such a wise girl you are Naomi. You are choosing what is best for your family. I think sometimes blogging can get in the way of our family because our egos tend to get in our way. We need to know when to step back and remember that to every thing there is a season. We live a long, long time and there is time for all we want to do if we do it in the Lord's time.
ReplyDeleteI loved your gratitude post so much. Every thing revolves around us being grateful for what we have. Even for the hard things that come our way, because there are always those who have it harder than we do, and recognizing it can change our perspective on what we consider lack in our life.
Wishing you nothing but joy in 2012.
much love...
Good on you Naomi! I wish you well for the New Year! xx
ReplyDeleteVery true...I always like the phrase "No is a complete sentence." You don't need to explain yourself to everyone either, just do what's best for you. it's okay to say no
ReplyDeletei think saying No takes a lot of courage for some, and can often be the most refreshing and rejuvenating experience once you have done it. I only hope there is a little less stress for you this year Naomi :) xx
ReplyDeleteI think that is fabulous advice - I completely suck at saying no to anything and anyone in life in general and I am so going to make it my mission to master that word by the end of this year! :) xx
ReplyDelete