Somewhere lost in my past I read something about the importance of being able to say "no." I think you are on to something. I am embracing "no," I have my FU money so I can say no without fear, and it feels so good. Saying yes when in your heart you so want to say no is toxic. It will kill you.

Even little things, just say no. I was walking between buildings to go to an all-hands meeting, and a training and people stop and asked me if I wanted a ride. I wanted to tell them how ignorant that was. I said no to both the ride and my intern desire to tell them off. They had to walk almost as far to get to their car as the walk between buildings. I have my own car, if I wanted to ride, I could ride, how do they not know that.

No I don't want to buy this or that that my feed trys to sell me. No, I won't do your job for you. No, I don't want to chit chat with you. No, I will not work this weekend. No, No, NO. You just got to say no.

TEK