The Magic Words That Can Bring Balance to Your Life

In the pursuit of success, many professionals find themselves overcommitted, stretched too thin, and struggling to maintain a sense of balance. The good news? A few simple yet powerful words can help you reclaim your time, set clear boundaries, and create the space needed to focus on what truly matters to YOU.

1. “No.”

One of the most powerful words you can say is also one of the simplest: No. If an opportunity, task, or request is not aligned with your mission, goals, or priorities, you owe it to yourself to say no. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you practice, the easier it becomes. Every time you say no to something that doesn’t serve you, you’re saying yes to something that does.

2. “I have a hard stop at ___.”

When saying no isn’t an option, a great alternative is setting clear time limits. At the beginning of any meeting that has the potential to drag on or not be a great use of your time, say:

“I have a hard stop at [time].”

This simple phrase helps manage expectations and ensures you don’t get trapped in unproductive discussions. If a meeting starts to lose focus, you can gently guide it back on track by saying something like:

“I have a hard stop, but please follow up by email if there’s anything else I can assist with.”

3. “Let me get back to you.”

Not every request requires an immediate yes or no. If you’re unsure whether something aligns with your priorities, buy yourself time by saying:

“Let me get back to you on that.”

This gives you the opportunity to assess the request without feeling pressured to agree on the spot.

4. “That doesn’t work for me, but here’s what I can do.”

When declining outright isn’t feasible or a good move politically, try a strategic redirect. For example:

If someone asks you to attend an unnecessary meeting, you might say:

“I can’t make that, but I’d be happy to review the notes and provide input.”

If a client or colleague requests something outside your scope, you can respond with:

“That’s not something I handle, but I can connect you with someone who does.”

5. “I need time to focus.”

In a world of constant interruptions, protecting your deep work time is critical. One way to do this is by setting clear boundaries around your availability:

“I’m heads-down on a project this afternoon, but I’ll be available after 3 PM.”

“I don’t take calls during my morning work block, but I can schedule something later.”

Pro Tip: in a world of shared calendars, where other people in your organization can book you for meetings without even asking, make sure you put your focus time on your calendar so you show as unavailable.

The Bottom Line

By using these simple yet effective phrases, you can create more balance in your life, maintain control over your time, and ensure that your energy is spent on what truly matters to YOU. Start practicing them today and watch how they transform your productivity and peace of mind.

Helping you Thrive,

Judy

Founder, Selby Strategies

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