I wrote my name down on the volunteers form, then ticked the YES box.
It will be fun, what a great activity.
I am so heavily committed right now, do I really have time?
I included a little note on the side. My out clause. “If you get enough helpers I am happy to miss out.”
Really, what is with that?????
Did I just say yes and then hoped they would say no?
That was it, The Sign, The Warning Warning…….. I was saying yes out of obligation not out of devotion.
I really wanted to say no.
Today I checked the volunteers list and yes there is my name, they need me, I am in. Well off course you dill, you ticked yes.
I do still have a choice, I can make up an excuse, hang on I have an excuse, I am busy, I am over committed, I really wanted to say no.
Yes, I can pull out now, I can be a flake.
Or
I can devote and honour my commitment.
Little voice is saying “you are too busy, should have said no, when will you learn.”
As I listen to little voice I know I will show up. I will show up with a bucketful of resentment if I keep listening.
How do I show up and leave resentment behind, along with frustration and the ever building cranky pants.
Let’s switch it around, let’s set up a challenge.
Let’s frame it like this:
I am going to show up and learn a new skill
I am going to show up and meet someone new
I am going to show up and have fun with creativity
I am going to show up and be proud
I am going to show up with all my enthusiasm, my joy and my creativity.
I am going to leave with a new friend, a new skill and a feeling of Bliss.
I will leave knowing I ditched my frustration, found my devotion and did not flake.
Do you over commit? Are you a flaker or devoter?
PS. Next time if I am not all in from the beginning, when I am thinking of the out clause before I begin. That is the time to say no, and that my friends is okay.
This is day 17 of my 31 Days of Captured Bliss
I also find it hard to say no. Will wait to hear how your volunteering went. Hope the challenge goes well.
Netti I will update you soon.
Maybe it was meant to be, you volunteering, more bliss is waiting.
Sarah, yes I agree some bliss is about to happen.
Oh yes, I am very guilty of overcommitting. I have a problem with saying no. I’m getting better about it though. I feel guilty because often it’s the same people who always help. (I am not putting myself in that category, although I used to be there…my husband is definitely in that category though.) I love your attitude…I wouldn’t back out either at this point. 🙂 Have a great day!
Michelle the knowing when to say no is tricky, I have been slowly improving for years.
I so could have written this post. Totally commit when I really need to say no.. still learning to be comfortable with “no.”
Judy, no, such a teeny tiny word and so hard to get out sometimes.
One of the suggested rules to live by that we learned at Bloggy Boot Camp was, “If it’s not a ‘HELL YES!’ then it’s a ‘NO’. I think we all say yes to some things we wish we hadn’t. But I’m with you, once I’ve said yes, I hate to back out. Once I make the commitment, I think I should live up to it with all of my heart!
Mo, Bloggy Boot Camp Wisdom I am loving this, a Hell Yes or a No. Easy to remember, now time to do.