Say No & Find 5 Benefits That Strengthen Relationships by Using Boundaries

By Paula Elder

Time management tips clear paths for you to live your best life. But of course, demands and distractions crop up every day. Where are your efforts to keep on track successful? Where do they fall short?

If you resist saying no to important people in your life, chances are you experience overwhelm. And this generates enormous stress! Are you trying to protect an important relationship by saying yes when you want to say no? If so, there's good news. Learning when and how to say no, through boundaries, will actually help make good relationships better!

The Power of No

Here's a fresh approach to finding time by setting boundaries. Being ready, willing and able to protect your time by saying no to unwanted demands and distractions strengthens your relationships in these 5 ways:

1. Saying no gives meaning to your yes. It is authentic, and people can trust it. You clarify who you are, and demonstrate that you respect yourself and your time.
2. Keeping your schedule manageable by saying no builds trust. You simply can't honor all your commitments if you never say no. People trust you when your actions match your words. The more positive control you exert over your time, the more your reliability increases.
3. Being authentic encourages authenticity in others. By setting boundaries, you encourage others to clarify their priorities, in turn. Although this may be challenging at first, with practice, you learn how to negotiate to mutual satisfaction. This is one of the most important relationship skills!
4. Setting limits builds healthy boundaries. In the same way that muscles need to encounter resistance in order to become strong, a relationship needs to encounter its "edges" to develop maturity and depth.
5. You bring a healthier, happier you to your relationships. By assuming ownership of your time, you relate to others with openness, not needless stress, resentment and exhaustion.

Saying no is a healthy risk. You need to know that your relationships will thrive as you relate assertively and honestly. Over time, viable relationships respond positively to fair boundaries, presented thoughtfully. And you will experience the satisfaction of knowing that you are creating new opportunities for your relationships as well as your time!

You can ask for the time and space you need, and get it, too! The Finding Time Relationship Boundary Template offers 26 sequential steps, in a workbook format, to help you negotiate your way to a stronger self and stronger relationships! Learn how 24 hours really can be enough! To take your next step, visit http://www.relationshipboundaries.com/RBT.html