Giving the Gift of “No”

May 4, 2016October 5, 2018 Beatrice Bailey

I do a personal assessment at the end of every year regarding things that I like and don’t like about my life and myself. I look at what is increasing my growth and what are the hindrances to my growth. I then set up a plan to make some necessary changes. At the end of last year, I decided that the art of giving would not end in December.

One of my main hindrances is an inability to say “NO” when I know I need to say “NO.” Anyone that knows me knows that I am a high energy, very organized person and a Jill of All Trades.

“Give it to Bea and regardless of her schedule, she will find a way to get it done.”

Well … there is a price to pay when you consciously or unconsciously are sucked into this head set.

You may find yourself stressed and putting key areas in your own life on the back burner. The net result is that you may actually accomplish all that you have been “asked to do” or frankly, “roped” into doing. However, you may also end up very stressed or doing some things in a substandard way. There are many skilled “Guilt Merchants” in our individual lives. They will continually push you into taking on a task with the goal of ultimately lightening their own loads.

By concentrating on the critical, few things that you really NEED to do and SHOULD do; you will find yourself living a less complicated and less stressful life.

Consider joining me by giving the “Gift of No” to your family, friends and business associates. After all, “NO” is a complete sentence.

Photo Credit: BaileyRaeWeaver via Compfight cc

Written by Beatrice Bailey

Beatrice Bailey was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa to a Baptist minister father and a mother who was a gospel recording artist. She has three sisters and one brother. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a BA in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento. Retired since 2004 from management positions with both the Xerox Corporation and the State of California, Bea now conducts customized seminars on “Budgeting for the Not So Rich and Famous”, “Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together…The Ultimate Balancing Act,” as well as interview techniques entitled, “Selling the Sizzle and Not the Steak.” In addition, she is an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church in Sacramento, CA, where she is an Adult Sunday School teacher. Bea has been a Head Feature Writer for Senior Magazine of Northern California. She also writes a monthly newspaper column entitled, “Uniquely Bea” Currently, she has authored a best-selling book, entitled, "Farewell, My Friend” and is conducting presentations and book signings throughout the United States and Mexico. "Radio Luz,” a Spanish Speaking Christian Radio Station, has interviewed her multiple times. Bea also was selected to be included in a book by The Author’s Show, as one of the "50 Outstanding Writers You Should Be Reading”. Bea has produced and hosted a new innovative television show, “A-Z with Bea”, which aired in November 2009 on RCCTV, Sacramento, CA. Bea is active at St. Paul Baptist Church and is an Adult Sunday school Teacher, and a Small Accountability Group Leader. She is a member of Kaiser’s Bio-Ethics Committee and on the Board of Advisors for the East Lawn Corporation. Recently, she has been asked to participate as a speaker with the Black Health Today national organization. To relax, Bea likes to work out at the gym, walk, knit, paint, sew, cook, garden, and read. Traveling within the United States, Mexico, Asia, the Caribbean, South America and Europe is one of Bea’s true passions. She has two adult children, one “bonus son”, five wonderful grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She resides in Northern California.

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Written by Beatrice Bailey

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