Let's stop being "yes" people

Photo courtesy of Stavros Markopoulos on Flickr.

In a previous post, I mentioned I was letting go of some obligations. After consulting my husband and assessing my goals and desires, it was the right decision.

I'm really good at being busy. The goal of letting go of some of my obligations isn't to spend more time on the couch. It's to spend my energy in more beneficial ways that will serve my soul. 

Yoga has filled up my schedule. That likely won't change. But I've been devoting so much time and energy into teaching and not as much into other things that matter: My family, my friends and even my own personal growth.

The truth is, the more I learn about yoga the more I realize I don't know about yoga. And I'm hungry. I want to learn all the things and if my schedule is completely booked, I won't have time to.

My desire is to bring value to my classes and the more I learn, the more value I'll bring. I'm about halfway through an online training from Udemy and I plan to attend a few classes in April. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for workshops that interest me (can't wait for Nickki's!). I'm excited to learn more, and in turn share those learnings with my students. 

We all have the same amount of time. And it never feels like enough. Only we have the power to choose how and where we give our energy. The days pass quickly and life is too short to waste energy in places that don't serve our purpose. 

I recently went to a KC Design Week event where blogger Jamie Meares of i suwannee (check out her post about her trip to Kansas City here!) shared some blogging and life wisdom. She said something that stuck with me: 

"Every time you say 'no' to something you won't do, you are saying 'yes' to something you will do." 

Let's stop being "yes" people all the time. Let's choose our yes' carefully and with intention. Because it's better to allow ourselves the space we need to give our best, full self than to spread ourselves thin and give everyone a tired piece. 

Let's remember, as Jamie says, that by saying "no," we're saying "yes" to something that better serves us. And in turn, we'll show up in a fuller, better way.