"How do you say, 'NO' ? Are you always running on 100%? I would get so tired!"
-Pam* 60, Etobicoke, ON.
What a great question. Let me start by saying this is something I used to struggle with (big time)! I had to learn the art of saying 'no'. I used to feel guilty saying no to an on-camera opportunity, social events, any networking gig or even when saying no to a workout with a friend! Can you say FOMO? I learned in more recent years, that by going to everything, I was wearing myself down. Picking and choosing what I say yes to and what I say no to is the key. You can ask yourself: Will this benefit my career? Will I really miss out from anything if I don't go to dinner with the girls tonight? Am I in desperate need of a nap- or can I squeeze in another workout? Listen to your body. Overdoing it will just lead to crash and burn. Prioritize what matters most to you and what will be most beneficial to you. And don't be afraid to take a mid-day nap! In my line of work, I'm up late at night reporting from sports events and typically work all weekend long. So I don't have to feel guilty taking a Monday off if I need to- or sneaking in a nap here and there. Oh yeah- and it's extra important to rest (on the couch or in an ice bath!) when training. Taking time to recover allows muscles to heal and grow. Listen- I know saying 'no' can be tough. But by saying 'yes' to everything, you are ultimately saying 'no' to something else. And by saying 'yes' to only the most important things, you are giving your body and mind enough rest to be 100% every time you are present. Hope this helps!
-LL
Ages are accurate. Names are subject to change before publishing to ensure confidentiality*