How easy do you find it to say no?
I have found that when I consciously say no to opportunities that don’t fit under my Context and Focal Points, that don’t fit within my general boundaries, then this always creates space for something else, even if that is simply sitting quietly reading a book š
Earlier this week I wrote about setting my Context to start the year, as well as the three Focal Points I have chosen to align with and define that context:
Do what matters
To consciously spend time with people that matter to me, in person wherever possible
To work only with people and businesses who have a clear intention, a clear purpose that is about more than just commercial returns.
To follow the maxim: āonly do what only you can doā, which will mean being rigorous in turning down or delegating out or outsourcing anything else
Since landing on these anchors, I have already been reminded several times of the importance of focus and so of being rigorous in maintaining boundaries and in saying “no” to things that do not fit under my context and focal points.
In life and in work I have, over recent years, edited my life, including:
- Practising not minimalism per se, but “enough-ism“
- Optimising rather than maximising, including optimising my work, number of clients, and so income. Optimising is a different form of feeling rich!
- Reducing the number of possessions so that I own them, they do not own me.
All of this means I have far more free time and space in my life and in my work, a form of engineering for serendipity, for new ideas, projects etc to spark.