Sustainable Success Tip & Nudge from your Future Self:

💬 “Saying no doesn’t make you difficult. It makes you empowered.”

This week:

Think of something you’re currently saying yes to—out of guilt, obligation, or habit.

Now ask:

What would shift if you gave that a sacred no? Not a flinchy, fearful no.

A clear, grounded, intentional no. 

The kind of no that honors your deepest yes.

Melinda, 

Let’s be honest: saying no can feel wrong or bad—especially for someone who’s spent their whole life being the dependable one.

You want to be a team player. A good friend. A responsible leader.
So when your calendar fills with commitments you didn’t really want… or your energy is scattered across too many people or priorities… it’s easy to chalk it up to “just how life is.”

But here's the deeper truth:
Every no is a boundary to a deeper, truer yes. And every boundary is a declaration of what you won’t carry anymore—so you can create space for what really is important for you.

That’s why in Chapter 5 of the book, I share the reframe that changed everything for me:

Every time you say yes to something that stretches you too thin, you are unintentionally saying no—to your well-being, to your best work, to the version of you that operates at the highest level.

And when it’s rooted in self-awareness—not avoidance—it becomes a form of leadership.

Try this:
Look at the next 7 days.
Circle one task, commitment, or interaction that feels heavy or draining.

Now ask:

• Is this aligned with the version of me I’m becoming?
  
• Am I saying yes to this because I want to—or because I’m afraid not to?
  

If it’s fear, habit, or guilt that’s driving your yes…
That may be the very place where an intentional no is most needed.

In Chapter 5 of the book (and the Companion Guide), I go deeper into what intentional no’s can actually sound like—and how to craft them in a way that feels authentic, kind, and aligned for everyone involved.

With joy,
Melinda

P.S. If you haven’t yet explored that chapter or don’t yet have the Companion Guide, now is a great time.
👉 Click here to download or revisit the Companion Guide