When to say yes (and when to say NO!)

I was talking to my sister in law a week or so ago and the subject of having too much on her plate came up (she’s nicer than me and says yes to more than I do!) While I more often say no to more things than I say yes, I DO have an issue with deciding which things to say yes to when it comes to blogging. There are a lot of opportunities that arise when you become a blogger, which are really exciting at first. Free stuff! Yay! Then you get deluded with emails offering everything and anything that often have nothing to do with what you blog about, but they are free. (Did I mention they are FREE?) You also can get paid to blog about it, too. Even if it has nothing to do with your blog.

I came across a quote that Jen Hatmaker shared on her Faceook page the other week and shared it with my sister in law…(love her Facebook posts, inspiring and hilarious all in one, I tell ya…) Jen said,

Doesn’t that make so much sense? If you aren’t willing to jump for joy at an opportunity, the answer should always be no. When it comes to blogging, if I don’t immediately say, “I wish I could buy this right now”, or immediately go ga ga over the brand, then I don’t want to share them on this space. Creating content takes time and energy, and I only want to do so for things and businesses that inspire me and make me say, “Hell, yes.” Every. Single. Time. 

The same goes for activities that I call “time suckers.” There are so many so called obligations that pull us a million different ways, including things that we are guilted into or forced into doing against out better judgment. I try to fill my time with the things that align with my main priorities. My kids are a priority, my husband is my priority, and my personal time is a priority. I know I need time to read each day to feel whole, so I make that time. I enjoy working on this blog and creating content here, so I make time for that. I love spending time with my husband before anyone else, so I reserve time for that. My kids have things that are important to them, so I have to allot time for that. All of these things are where I prioritize my time, and if it falls outside of that and doesn’t make me say “hell, yes”, then I say no. I say no a lot, and I am okay with that! I am working on saying yes to more activities with friends (I am also not the most social of creatures), so I will only go for it if it is something pretty special (book club!) 

There are so many things I have to do that are non negotiable (grocery shopping, cleaning, working, etc), that I don’t want to take up more time doing things I REALLY don’t want to do. We all have things that we excel at, so it won’t hurt too many feelings if I don’t join the PTO or bake meals for new mama’s. I’d rather help you watch your kids or put in time at the school as an aide. 

SO, the next time you get asked something that takes up your time or energy, ask yourself, “Is this a hell yes? Or is it a no?”