so i have this illness, it is called "yes." i say yes too many times, to too many projects or positions. sometimes it has given me some real benefits, other times not. it has me thinking, what are good guidelines for making "yes" decisions to participate in or take on new endeavors?
my initial guideline thoughts
- am i actually passionate about this?
- does this give a benefit or is it a act of grace?
- who/what does it take away from?
- am i actually a good person for this, or am i just the only person the asking person knows? do i know someone else who would be better suited?
what other guidelines might be employed in saying "yes" or "no"
Depends on the situation, obviously. But in some situations, if it deals with church stuff and you are already filling all your time (which I assume you are), then you should figure out what else you can give away to someone else if this is something you really would like to do. If you can’t find someone to take another responsibility, then you just don’t have the time.
Depends on the situation, obviously. But in some situations, if it deals with church stuff and you are already filling all your time (which I assume you are), then you should figure out what else you can give away to someone else if this is something you really would like to do. If you can’t find someone to take another responsibility, then you just don’t have the time.
I think in my own experience I always have to take into account “will this be an opportunity for me to grow as a person/designer or will this stifle me?”
Great questions though!
I think in my own experience I always have to take into account “will this be an opportunity for me to grow as a person/designer or will this stifle me?”
Great questions though!
No.
Just no.
No.
Just no.
Hi. I’m Jim and I have the “yes” disease.
I would add: “Would I do this simply to please a person for personal gain?”
or
“Is this inside of my priorities or will it take time away from my specific ministry/time with family?”
Hi. I’m Jim and I have the “yes” disease.
I would add: “Would I do this simply to please a person for personal gain?”
or
“Is this inside of my priorities or will it take time away from my specific ministry/time with family?”
It may sound cliche but…I pray for confirmation that I should take on yet another project. On my own I will say yes just to make others happy, even if I am miserable because I’m too busy to give a project my best effort.
It may sound cliche but…I pray for confirmation that I should take on yet another project. On my own I will say yes just to make others happy, even if I am miserable because I’m too busy to give a project my best effort.
A blog friend stated a few weeks ago, “It’s easy to say no to bad ideas. It’s much harder to say no to a good idea that might not be the right idea right now.” I’ve been pondering this. How do we know when a great idea is great for this person or in this time or in this place? Listen to our hearts. Listen to our trusted advisors. Listen to God.
A blog friend stated a few weeks ago, “It’s easy to say no to bad ideas. It’s much harder to say no to a good idea that might not be the right idea right now.” I’ve been pondering this. How do we know when a great idea is great for this person or in this time or in this place? Listen to our hearts. Listen to our trusted advisors. Listen to God.