How Much Time Do I Spend Doing Things I Don’t Want To Do?

I realized the other day that I had said yes to a rather large commitment, only because I didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings! I did end up telling the person I could no longer honour my commitment, but it felt awful! And to think, if I had just said no off the bat, I wouldn’t have had to go through all of that…

I once heard someone say “you have to say no, to say yes.”

At the time, I really didn’t understand it. But I really got the meaning when I realized that I had committed a few hours every week, for six months, to something I was dreading. Dreading! It wasn’t even something I kind of wanted to do! Ha ha.

This seems funny now, but it’s actually pretty tragic when you add up all of the hours I have spent doing things I don’t want to do; it’s tragic because I could have been using those hours to spend time with my loved ones, work on one of my businesses, take better care of myself, educate myself, exercise, or any other awesome thing that I do enjoy.

I’m going to think before I answer, from now on.

I think the only way to prevent this from happening again is to pause and really think before I answer. Or, I will let them know I’ll get back to them once I have thought about it.

I also delegate/hire out the things I don’t like to do.

Cutting the grass, cleaning the house, picking up supplies/groceries, doing the laundry and cooking are all things I’ve hired out because:

1. I don’t like doing them, and
2. someone else is better at doing those things than I am!

Here’s a TEDx talk on learning how to better spend your time, to give you another perspective on setting your priorities:

Spending your time doing things you love makes you a happier person, a more successful leader, and a better person to be in any relationship with! I strongly urge you to try and be more intentional about your commitments. It will pay off, I promise!

I hope you have an amazing week and you spend your time doing things you want to do this week!

If you need more help being more efficient with your time, contact TMH Business Coaching and Consulting today for a confidential, free, no-obligation consultation to propel you forward. Also, please feel free to add yourself to our weekly coaching tips email!