This anti-drug slogan from the 80s had the right idea...except for one word.


Reader

There was a campaign in the 80s called “Just Say No”. Sound familiar? It was everywhere, and the simplicity of the phrase (like Nike's "Just Do It') makes it memorable. But I take issue with both of those due to one word: "just". When you put the word “just” in front of an action it oversimplifies it and makes you feel like there is something wrong with you if you don’t do the thing. Not so! Please join me in removing that limiting word, embracing self-compassion, and finding the best way for you.

As a recovering people pleaser and a productivity coach who’s worked with hundreds of clients, I've seen firsthand the toll of saying yes without self-regard. The constant pressure to say yes to every request, no matter the impact on your own well-being, can lead to burnout, lost focus, and missed opportunities to pursue your true passions.

While we can all agree that we do not want to say yes all the time, what we don’t talk about is how to go about it and when we need to create better boundaries to protect ourselves.

In episode 117 of the podcast, I address how to go about saying NO in a way that feels gentler, because the advice “no is a complete sentence” doesn't honor the feelings of obligers and helpers. In the episode, I outline ways to do it that don’t leave you feeling guilty or rude.

That's the "how" part. Now what let's talk about the "when"...

One of the most important takeaways for making a choice is this: every YES is a NO and every NO is a YES. When you think of it that way, it encourages you to identify both sides each time you decide what you’re going to do (or not do).

Episode 235 celebrates the idea that choosing the right time and situation for saying no will lead to a much less stressful life. In this episode, I review the hidden costs of the continual yes without regard to your needs and I share 5 criteria to evaluate new commitments and obligations

Your most valuable currency is your time and energy, which is more evident during a busy season like the holidays. Now is the time to get intentional about how you invest those precious resources.

I encourage you to listen to the full episode so you can start implementing these strategies to set boundaries and reduce stress.

And if you feel overwhelmed already with prioritizing, a quick coaching session may be just the thing you need to regroup and reset for the season. (See the details below that include a special VIP discount.)

Here's to saying yes to less stress and more joy,

Lisa


Productivity Coaching is one of the quickest ways to overcome overwhelm by prioritizing and clearly defining what you need to do so you can confidently do it! The Quickstart session, like the name suggests, is fast and effective. One hour with me and you'll not only feel better going into the holidays, you'll have a fresh perspective for the new year ahead!

$175.00

$157.50

Focus Boost Session

This fast and effective one-time session builds on a Clarity Call and works well when you need a fast, single focus... Read more

County Route 10, Bath, NY 14810
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Positively_Lisa

I’m Lisa Zawrotny, a Productivity Coach, host of the Positively Living® Podcast, and founder of Positively Productive Systems, on a mission to redefine productivity with compassion. I help overwhelmed clients ditch hustle culture and design shame-free, personalized systems that lead to sustainable success—without burnout or sacrificing what they love. I believe productivity is meant to support a more satisfying, joy-filled life. For me, that means road-tripping with my husband and teens, making music with my family and friends, and inspiring others with my voice. One of my favorite ways to recharge is curling up with a book, an iced coffee, and a cat on my lap. ------------------------------------------- Check out the resources I offer below and request my Toolkit to reduce overwhelm, boost energy, and align your actions with your values!

Read more from Positively_Lisa

Reader You've got the planner. You've got the system. You've got the priorities laid out. And still, some days, you sit down to work and your brain simply won't cooperate. What if the problem isn't your strategy? There's a layer underneath every productivity tool you use — one that determines whether those strategies actually work. Your nervous system state is what switches them on or off. When your body is running on high alert, even the best system stays dormant. The good news is that you...

Reader Have you ever sat down to work, had everything you needed, and still couldn't seem to get anything done? No obvious distractions, no missing tools — just a frustrating inability to focus or move forward. Before you blame motivation or discipline, it's worth asking a different question: what's actually draining your energy? Most productivity advice focuses on time, systems, and habits. What it rarely addresses are the underlying factors that affect your capacity before you even sit down...

Reader You've probably spent a lot of time managing your time. Tracking it, scheduling it, protecting it. And that makes sense — time is finite and visible and easy to measure. But here's something worth considering: two people can have identical schedules and get completely different results. Same hours, same tasks, totally different output. If time were the only variable, that wouldn't be possible. The missing piece is energy. Energy management is the practice of paying attention to your...