Don’t Immediately Commit
Have you ever committed your time to something and regretted it later? Sometimes we commit to things without fully realizing how this decision will impact our day-to-day lives. This is a common scenario for many of my clients. That’s why I tell them that it’s important to pause before saying “yes”.
It’s Nice to Help Others, But…
Next time someone asks you to commit to something, respond with “let me think about it”. Sure, we feel good when we can help others, but not when it’s at our own expense. If you end up angry, resentful, stressed or overwhelmed, chances are you would have been better off considering the whole proposition before committing. Pausing will give you the opportunity to take a closer look at your schedule to be sure you aren’t overextending yourself. You can get a realistic idea of your existing commitments by keeping a written daily schedule. Be sure to include things like travel time, as well as your regular tasks and activities. Once you have a visual reference of your activities, it will be easier to say “yes” knowing that you won’t regret it later.