"Apprenez à dire non au bien afin de pouvoir dire oui au meilleur"

Sometimes, we get caught up chasing every opportunity that comes our way. It's like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet—everything looks pretty good, so you pile your plate high. But then, you miss out on the truly amazing dish at the end of the table because you're already full. This quote is all about prioritizing. It's about being okay with turning down good opportunities if it means you can grab the exceptional ones.

Rewind a bit and think about why someone might have said this. The idea likely comes from the relentless pursuit of excellence, a lesson from life's busy rhythm. Our culture often celebrates busyness as a virtue. But when we're too busy saying 'yes' to everything, we might overlook what truly matters. Steve Jobs was a master at this. He once said that focusing is about saying no. His ability to cut out the noise and center on what truly mattered is a big part of why Apple became so successful.

Now, let’s get real. Picture Sarah, a dedicated marketing manager. She’s good at her job and gets invited to countless meetings and projects. Each one seems important, and she feels flattered, so she says 'yes' to all. Soon enough, she’s overwhelmed, her work quality drops, and she's exhausted. One day, a project comes along that could be a game-changer for her career. But guess what? She can’t devote the time or energy it needs. By not prioritizing, she missed out on the best opportunity because she was buried in good, but less significant, tasks.

How do you make this work in your life? It starts with figuring out what your 'best' is. What are your ultimate goals? What are the things that align most with your values and aspirations? Once you know that, it becomes easier to say 'no' without feeling guilty. You can even create a simple list of criteria to judge opportunities that come your way. If it doesn't meet your 'best' list, it's a 'no.'

Let's spin a relatable story. Think about Tom, a graphic designer. He enjoys his freelance work and really wants to build a portfolio that lands him a dream job at a top agency. Tom gets offered a steady stream of small gigs. They pay the bills, sure, but they aren’t the kind of projects he’s passionate about. One day, he gets offered a chance to work on a major campaign for a big brand—his dream job. But it requires a lot of dedication, and he’ll need to decline some smaller gigs. At first, he’s torn. But Tom remembers his ultimate goal and says 'no' to the small gigs. He puts everything into the big project, and it turns out to be a huge success. Not only does he create a standout portfolio piece, but he also lands his dream job.

So, next time you're faced with a decision, ask yourself, "Is this good, or is this the best?" It's a small shift, but it can have a massive impact on your life. You only have so much time and energy—spend it wisely. Don't just fill your plate; savor the best dishes life has to offer.