Empower Yourself in the New Year, Say “Hell No!” to What Doesn't Serve You
During my monthly call with my business coach in December, she could hear that I sounded overwhelmed. With my new book’s deadline looming, on top of my roles as an executive coach and speaker, my to-do list seemed insurmountable. Together, we unpacked my workload, exploring avenues for delegation, and refining priorities.
Discernment is a necessity, along with the courage to say "No," "Not now," or delegate.
Surprisingly, my muse for newfound empowerment is Sophia from The Color Purple. Her fearless refusal to become the mayor's wife's maid—a role she neither wanted nor accepted—inspired me. Sophia’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity became a catalyst for change and independence. "Hell no" could be my mantra for 2024!
While my business coach and I identified tasks that could be postponed or delegated, one significant task, completing my Master Coach Certification (MCC), felt burdensome. Her simple suggestion to explore the timeline from the International Coach Federation (ICF) opened new possibilities. Envisioning myself confidently saying "Hell no," I embraced the idea that some tasks could wait.
Similarly, the prospect of organizing numerous speeches for my new book became manageable when considering delegation—what if I trusted this task with someone else?
Setting goals and resolutions can be challenging for those of us with perfectionist tendencies. Distinguishing between duty and choice is crucial. Reflecting on my actions, I questioned whether they aligned with my values and aspirations or if they were driven by guilt or a desire to be superhuman.
Introducing the concept of a "To Don't list," I asked myself three questions:
What do I not want to do this year—or want to do less of?
What can I delay?
What can I delegate?
I kept this list in mind as I reflected on my top five values. This narrowed focus provided clarity and made the pursuit of fulfilling these values more manageable.
My new outlook offered room for creativity—a cherished value that often takes a back seat in my routine. Inspired by Gretchen Rubin's idea of dedicating 2 to 4 minutes a day to something enjoyable, I decided to write for pure pleasure. A small commitment, yet it felt playful and fun.
As we step into the New Year, may you find the courage to say "Hell No" and shape a year aligned with your authentic self. Cheers to a year filled with empowerment and authenticity!
