👎 No Is a Powerful Word
Do you use it enough?
No is such a small word that many of us never seem to use effectively. It is, however, essential that you do it for your productivity and mental health.
We are all inundated with requests for help, requests for work and a list of jobs that need to be completed. I have had such a hectic schedule these last two weeks that I have hardly had time to stop. I haven't read much and have barely had time to see my children.
Circumstances had conspired to make me take the weeks at a hundred miles an hour. The reason was a mixture of events that could not be avoided, such as having to take my labrador to the vet. Thankfully, we had the best possible outcome. The other factor was that I had said yes, far too much.
There is an idea that if you do not say 'hell yeah,' then you should say no if someone asks you to do something.
As humans, though, we struggle with using this word. Many of us are people pleasers, we think we will upset people. But would we?
I know I would rather have someone with me who had said hell yeah than someone who didn't want to be there but felt obligated. If you feel the same way, then you need to master the technique of politely saying no to some projects.
I am not always bad at this.
I have said no to more teaching hours several times, even though that means less income. The problem is by saying yes, I am sacrificing time with my children; no amount of money is worth that. If I work more, I also have less time for writing. If I try to make this up, once again my children suffer. I work the hours I need for a good life, but I will say no if it impacts family time.
By saying no, you free yourself up to do more creative endeavours. So this week, I am challenging you to say no more often. If your heart does not say 'hell yeah,' then say no and do what feels right.
Enjoy this week's weekly three, which has a book theme. Until next week, stay safe.
Sam 😊
Weekly Three
Three recommendations to check out to make you a better creative.
1. Man's Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl - The first part of this book was a fascinating and unique look at life in Nazi Germany. The details of how Franklr survived the Nazi camps are the basis of his theory of Logotherapy. I would urge anyone to read this, especially for describing everyday life in camp. It will teach you something you have not learned anywhere else and make you question yourself.
2. The Reading List, Sara Nisha Adams- This is such a beautiful book about the joy of reading, friendship and community. You journey through the list of books experiencing them again with the diverse cast of characters. Check out my full review.
3. Piranesi, Susanna Clarke - Piranesi is a rare book that lives up to the hype. It is a thought-provoking fantasy novel which is profoundly philosophical and will make you question many things. It is beautifully written and a book I will read again and again. Check out my full review.
Quote of the week
It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous, that you realize just how much you love them. —Agatha Christie,
Short-Story of the week
Articles this week
Reese Witherspoon is a hugely accomplished actor, who has created her own production company and managed to funnel material into it, using a unique method.
All the material she chooses has already been tried and tested on her audience. She already knows that the shows will be successful before she makes them. She has carried out a unique market survey on us, the public.