How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?
I am conflict avoidant, so I tend to say “yes” to all kinds of stuff I want to and should say “no” to. In just the last few weeks, though, I have decided to take advice I have given to others: Say “no” if you don’t want to say “yes.” And “maybe” is not “no.”
After a lifetime of peacekeeping at my own expense, it is hard to just say “no.” Nancy Reagan made it sound so easy, but I am here to tell you that “maybe” and “yes” are addictive and destructive to the avoidant.
“Maybe” almost always means “No, but I don’t want to say it to your face.” I have got to stop that.
The Mia Experiment 