Learning To Say No – Finding Freedom

Welcome to Conversations Of Courage, The Blog. My name is Daria Dillard Stone, The Servant. What is Conversations Of Courage? Glad you asked. Conversation means a talk, especially an informal one, between two or more people, in which news and ideas are exchanged. Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens you, finding strength in the face of pain and grief. But first, you must have a Conversation Of Courage with yourself. When we venture out to grow and glow, we will often be afraid that we will not succeed or feel depressed and even inadequate. So we fill our plate up with “networking events,” and we go and go and find we are saying yes to everyone because we are “hoping” this gives us the exposure we are looking for. You don’t have to wear yourself out to be successful; learn to say no and find real freedom. There are many ways to say, “no” and as entrepreneurs (and people generally), we struggle with that Word. If you plan to be your best in 2021, it may require that you learn to say no, and keep in mind that no is a complete sentence. We didn’t make it through this pandemic and not remember some key factors of what not to do – right? Sometimes we are too busy saying yes to everything, and for what?  

It was hard for me to learn how to say no. I even said no to rest when I needed it. I read an article by  https://clairediazortiz.com/ Claire Diaz Ortiz, and it resonated with me because she made a concerted effort to practice her NO muscle as she calls it and I think you will enjoy these practical approaches to saying no. Make sure you are honest, truthful, fair yet firm with your no, and don’t be too apologetic or go into many reasons. Just say NO and set yourself free! 

Many Ways to Say No

No. Nope. No thanks, I won’t be able to make it. Not this time.

No thanks, I have another commitment. Unfortunately, it’s not a good time. Sadly I have something else. Unfortunately not. I have something else. Sorry. Apologies, but I can’t make it. Maybe another time. Sounds great, but I can’t commit. I’m booked into something else. I’m not able to make that time. Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not able to make it this day/week/month/year. I’ve got too much on my plate right now.

I’m not taking on anything else right now. Bandwidth is low, so I won’t be able to make it work. I wish I could make it work. Not possible. I wish I were able to. If only I could! I’d love to — but can’t. Darn! Not able to fit it in. Rats! I would’ve loved to. I’m slammed. Perhaps next season when things clear up. I’m at the end of my rope right now, so have to take a raincheck. If only it worked. I’ll need to bow out. I’m going to have to exert my NO muscle on this one. I’m taking some time for myself. Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t. I’m in a season of NO. I’m not the girl for you on this one. I’m learning to limit my commitments. I’m not taking on new things. Another time might work. It doesn’t sound like the right fit.

My Word of the year is SELF, so I can’t fit another thing in.

I’m not sure I’m the best for it. No thank you, but it sounds lovely. It sounds like you’re looking for something I’m not able to give right now. I believe I wouldn’t fit the bill, sorry. It’s not a good idea for me. Not now. I’m trying to cut back. I won’t be able to help. If only I had a clone! I’m not able to set aside the time needed. I won’t be able to dedicate that much time. I’m tied up on another project, so I won’t be able to.

I wish there were two of me! I’m honored, but can’t. Did I say, No?

Because I care, I share

Min. Daria Dillard Stone, “The Servant,” is the Founding C.E.O. of Sharing Ministries L.L.C. Sharing Ministries, L.L.C. mission is: Built on a foundation of faith and integrity, Sharing Ministries helps women from all walks of life to develop character, clarity, and courage by offering spiritual guidance, educational resources, business connections, and moral support.

Daria states, “This website was birthed out of the grief I was experiencing in 2007 when my darling husband Todd died. But now it has grown out of the grief and exemplifies the G.R.I.T. (Grace, Resilience, Integrity, Tenacity).” She is an inspiring preacher/teacher, award-winning author, and an international motivational speaker.