When you like to please then it’s of course hard to say no.

But it is vital for you own happiness, stress-levels and for living the life you truly want.

Remind yourself why it is important to sometimes say no: You teach people by how you behave.

It’s OK to feel a bit guilty about saying no (but you don’t have to act on it).

...because here’s the thing: people have their hands full with thinking and worrying about their own lives.

This realization can make you feel less important. But it can also set you free.

...because sometimes it’s simply about the other person and his or her situation in life right now and not about what you did or did not do.

• Wait before you reply.
• Remember: you can let it go.
• It's Ok to Disagree.

If you say no to yourself, if you set a few firm boundaries for yourself then it will over time become easier to do the same towards other people too.

And these boundaries can also help you to focus better on what matters the most to you.

A couple of my daily ones that have helped me with both of those things are:

• A start-time and a stop-time for work.
• Work in a no-distraction zone.
• Only check email once a day.

And criticism and negative words will bounce off of you more easily and often.

Plus, you’ll be less concerned about getting everyone else to like you all the time.

...because now you like and respect yourself more and your dependency upon what others may think or say drops drastically.

If you know what’s most important to you and you keep your focus on that each day then you’ll naturally start to say no and stop being so people pleasing.

...because now your energy and time is mostly focused on your needs and wants.