Next, we must ALTer the things we agree to say “yes” to. As previously mentioned, we sometimes pile on tasks out of obligation, the need to be noticed or because we feel pressured that we should. We must ALTER our thinking and realize we are the only person responsible for taking care of our own health and mental wellness. If it doesn’t directly fall into alignment with our motives and goals, we need to pass on over-committing ourselves. Learning to say “no” is not an easy task as we are left feeling guilty that we are letting others down. However, if we burn ourselves out for everyone else and their agendas, what is left over for our own goals? Ask three questions: What is the motive behind doing it? What is the outcome? Who does it help? Examine each task before agreeing to take it on as this will help you make choices on how to prioritize it on your daily list. If we say “yes” to everything, we grow resentful and angry at others instead of realizing we could have been in control of our time. Find your own healthy balance between your meeting your own obligations, your desires, and helping others. Learn to alter your time by managing priorities on a daily basis.
Lastly, it is time to DELETE the negativity and non-productive things that consume your time. If you are committed to something that you oftentimes find yourself angry about or resentful of, then DELETE the activity with total transparency instead of harboring those toxic feelings. DELETE the people or at least the amount of conversations you have with people in your life that constantly dwell on things that are not going right instead of seeing all the things that are. Remember that misery loves company and in order for you to free up your time and mental clarity, you need to delete the negativity. What things do you spend time doing that are of no value? Are you wasting time with gossip, social media trolling or gaming? Examine your life and delete things that are of no benefit to you or others. Finally, let go of bad habits, non-productive tasks, or things that are harmful to your well-being. Discover how you want to spend the extra time you have created and use it wisely. Consequently, as you clear your schedule, you become happier, more productive and free to help others because you become a positive beacon of optimism.