For the past year I have found myself saying "no" to a lot of things. Saying "no" to a lot of requests. Saying "no" to things I enjoy even. I'm not sure there's been another time in my life that I've said "no" so much.
Why all this "no" saying? Basically, it's so I can say "yes" to what comes next. "And just what comes next?" you ask. Well, the truth is, I don't know what comes next.
I just know that, unless I have room on my schedule for "what comes next" I won't be able to do it.
So I've spent the better part of the last year evaluating and prioritizing my time, energy and resources and whittling away at the list of things I'm doing, roles I play, needs I meet, questions I answer and so on.
It's a lot smaller than it was this time last year.
It wasn't easy.
Everything I did seemed very important. I thought then I was making the best use of my time and doing just what I was supposed to do.
But as I dreamed about possibilities with the things I love, I realized that, if they were ever to be realized, I had to make room for them. Because they were big dreams. Really big dreams. And there was no way they would fit into the life I was living at that time.
So I prayed and I considered and I weighed and I whittled. And slowly but surely, space began to appear where before there was just clutter. Clutter of tasks, clutter of positions, clutter of roles, responsibilities and desires.
And with the space that appeared came increased clarity and focus. And I began to devote more time to my dream while I waited for it to take shape and bloom.
Now, I'd love to be able to tell you that I'm living my dream and everything is perfect.
But I can't.
I can tell you that the things I am involved in are exactly the things I'm supposed to be doing and that I want to do. And I continue to work on my dream, knowing that in the proper time it will be fulfilled.
My life is a lot less cluttered and busy. A lot more peaceful and fulfilling. I am a lot less stressed and tired. And a lot more energized and excited about what the future holds.
And I'm that much closer to my dream...
How about you? What dreams have you been holding on to? How much room is there in your life to fit that dream into? What are you willing to say "no" to so you can say "yes" to something better?
Please leave a comment below. We are all in this evaluating and whittling phase together. Encourage someone else and let them know they're not alone in this process.
And if I can help you to realize your dreams and see them come true, please contact me. I look forward to hearing from you!