"Tienes que decidir cuáles son tus prioridades más altas y tener el coraje, de manera agradable, sonriendo, sin disculparte, de decir no a otras cosas. Y la forma de hacerlo es teniendo un sí más grande ardiendo por dentro."

Deciding what matters most to you and sticking to those priorities is all about making mindful choices. It's actually pretty straightforward when you think about it. Imagine you have a list of things you want to do. Some of these things are super important to you, while others are just things you'd like to do if there's time. The trick is to focus on those top-priority items and politely, but firmly, turn down the rest.

This idea comes from the realm of time management and personal productivity. It's especially relevant in today's world where we're constantly bombarded with demands on our time and attention. The person who said this, Stephen Covey, is known for his work on leadership and self-help, particularly his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." He emphasizes the power of prioritizing what truly matters to achieve personal and professional success.

Now, picture this: You’re at work, and your boss dumps yet another project on your already full plate. You’re tempted to say yes because you want to be seen as helpful and capable. But then you remember that you’re already committed to a major project that aligns perfectly with your career goals and is due next week. So, you take a deep breath, smile, and say, "I’d love to help, but I need to focus on finishing this current project first to ensure it's done well." This way, you're showing that you're committed and focused, without apologizing for setting boundaries.

To apply this wisdom, start by figuring out what your "big yes" is—what’s that burning passion or goal inside you? Once you know that, it becomes easier to say no to other things. You won't feel as guilty because you're saying no for a reason that's deeply important to you. It might help to literally write down your top three priorities and keep them somewhere visible, like on your desk or in your planner. That way, every time a new request comes in, you can quickly check it against your list to see if it fits.

Let’s bring it to a more personal, relatable level. Think about Julie, a mom of two who’s also working full-time. She's always running around, juggling kids' activities, work meetings, and trying to squeeze in some me-time. One day, her friend asks her to volunteer for a school fundraiser. Julie really likes the idea of helping out, but she’s already stretched thin. Instead of just saying yes and then stressing about it, she looks at her calendar and sees that it clashes with her son's soccer game—one of her "big yeses" because family time is her top priority. So, she thanks her friend for thinking of her and kindly says she can't commit this time. Julie’s friend understands, and Julie avoids unnecessary stress.

In our fast-paced lives, it's easy to get caught up trying to do everything, but remember—it's okay to say no. It’s not about being rude or uncooperative; it’s about staying true to what’s most important to you. So next time you feel overwhelmed by obligations, think about your "big yes" and let it guide your decisions. Your future self will thank you.