It makes sense that we should feel less anxious as we age. By age 70 or so, we’ve been through the wringer. Most nasty stuff already happened to us. Of course, all of you are wise individuals, so you’ve learned from your mistakes and moved bravely forward, getting brighter with each decade.
As for me, I’d be less anxious today if I had learned to say one word.
NO.
When friends or colleagues ask me to do something, I have a challenge putting these two letters together.
My friend Claudia Black has said, “Saying no can be the ultimate self-care.” Yet, she didn’t go on to tell me just how to get “no” out of my mouth.
My positive self-talk assures me that I’m just such a nice guy, I don’t want to disappoint my friends and colleagues.
A deeper dive into my brain comes up with more selfish motives, such as:
I want to be adored.
I want to be needed.
I can hide out from tough things on my own “to-do” list.
I’m going to get better at saying “no” as soon as I pick up my neighbor’s dry cleaning.