These were the invitations and obligations that did not seem bad when the opportunity presented itself but when the time actually came to leave work for two and half hours to sit in a hotel ballroom with strangers to discuss gender equality in the law, it seemed very painful. I used to say yes to all of these types of things but when the day came to actually go, I was very pissed at myself for saying "yes".
The straw that broke the camel's back came when I volunteered to be the office social/party planner. I was planning office holiday parties, staff luncheons, parties for clients. I even had to order flowers for the office. This was not in my job description and came with little thanks and no glory. It basically just cut into my work day and made me less productive. As a lawyer with billable hours as a goal. This was just dumb on my part. I decided to just say no to extracurricular things. It worked. I was happier and more productive.
Flash forward 15 or so years and the post it note must come out of retirement again. This past month has seen me saying "Yes" to things that I really don't want to do. For example, I have to go to a "uniform committee " meeting for my son's school today. I really don't give a crap about whether or not the school has uniforms. Why did I volunteer for this? I also over-volunteered for other school events and committees this spring at both schools. Huh? What was I thinking.
Yes, participating and volunteering at your child's school is important. Mom's who don't help at all just suck but I need to stick that post it note on my forehead or i phone so I remember that my job description is not Volunteer of the year.
Thanks goodness school is almost over. Remind me next year to just say "no", a little bit more often.
5 comments:
I was just like you! I can't tell you how many things I said YES to that ended up causing me mental anguish---from president of PTA to every fundraiser. Need a classroom aide? Yep-I can help. I finally got brave enough to start respecting myself to say No. Unfortunately, the kids were almost through school by the time that happened. UGH- I will remind you before school starts next year, okay? xo Diana
Japolina, Saying yes, when in your heart you are wanting to say no...can make you crazy. I try to never do that. It's too much stress. You can't please them all anyways. Just start saying"so sorry but I am way too busy to help out."People tend to use you up, if you say yes to often. My daughter say 7 more weeks of school here. I am so glad they don't go all year round. xoxo,Susie
Is it bad to say that I know exactly what you mean by this post? "Just say no" seems like a good motto for me to follow.
www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
My husband laughs and says I have "Yes" on my forehead.
Judy
Yes ! NO is a good word !
I had at one time 3 children in three different schools at the same time and was on every PTA... what was I thinking ... Oh I wasn't !
cheers, parsnip
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