The Art of Saying "No"

For most of my 25, almost 26, years I've been the world's BIGGEST people please-er.  Not all of it was bad because I experienced a lot of smiles from people who genuinely needed help, a favor, or what have you. But then there are those people who just ask and ask and ask and ASK until there is a breaking point with the actual doer----->that would be me. 

Today, I took in an experience of saying no to someone who over uses me and it was SO relieving. I know it's a small step for mankind and all but I just had to share that it felt good to say no and that sometimes it is okay.

I think attempting be an overachiever has caused myself a lot of anxiety. I constantly worried about what would happen if I actually said no and would the person's world be turned upside down? Sometimes that's not the case at all and well sometimes it is, but no matter what, it's really not on you. When you have a pile a mile high on your own plate and another person tries to shove more, you have every right to say no.

For those of you who take advantage of people like me over and over again because you don't feel like doing the simplest or even hardest of actions...be an adult and just do it. It's a part of life we all have to deal with and it's not fair to others for you to shove your problems, inconveniences off on them.

Life lessons are hitting me hard these days and going through some of what I have lately, it's time to realize what's important. Right now, that's time and it's extremely valuable to me. Not only personal time but also at work. We only have so much of it and how can I ever accomplish what I need/want to if I'm always on every one's time except for mine?