Besides his enormous wealth, Warren Buffett is also well-known for his incredibly valuable wisdom. So when I found out the “Oracle of Omaha” had a rule that can make you both wealthier and happier, I had to listen in and share it.
If you pay close attention, there is an attitude that makes billionaires stand out. It may come out as a surprise, but Warren Buffett once said that the difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say “no” to almost everything.
At first glance, it may sound off, but reflecting on it deeper, you will get to understand that, saying ‘no’ can actually take you further. There is a lot of unnecessary baggage, responsibilities, and habits that might be dragging you down, and it all starts with an obligation to say yes.
But with all the daily responsibilities, obligations and opportunities in life, how do you actually say no, and what should you say no to?
Thankfully, there are plenty of ultra-successful people who live Warren Buffett’s mantra day in and day out.
Read on to find out about 5 things you should say no to in order to drastically improve your life:
1. Say No To Too Much Priorities
Inability to identify your real priorities slows down your progress to success. And looking into too many things at a time decreases your focus on the tasks that matter.
Warren Buffett has shared his technique called the three-step exercise. Write down your top 25 priorities, and then mark the five most important ones. The last step is to erase all other items that aren’t part of the 5 things you chose. In principle, it is elimination of things that you do not have to deal with (at least for now). This will give you ample time to work on what needs to be done as compared to multitasking that gets you nowhere.
2. Say No To Overworking
While it is imperative to work hard, you also have to remember that in order to succeed, you need to work smart. Overworking is a result of poorly managed schedule which compromises a lot of your energy.
Planning your day ahead and eliminating distractions are beneficial tweaks into your routine to lessen cramming and stress. It is also important to know when to continue, and when to pause because it wouldn’t be helpful to overuse your physical and mental strength.
3. Say No To Perfection
Aiming for perfection will only lead to disappointments. Even the highly successful people commit mistakes. Hence, there’s no point in fearing it because they are essential to your growth as an individual. Your flaws and mistakes do not define you. It is how you learn from it that will determine the level of success that you could attain.
“Failure is a great learning tool, but it must be kept to an absolute minimum.” — Jeffrey Immelt
It is never an excuse not to move on with your to-dos simply because you do not have enough courage to work on it (or if you are afraid to fail). Find ways on how to minimize errors by seeking help from experts/professionals, or by engaging the entire team.
4. Say No To a Limiting Mindset
Often, you think so little of yourself that you don’t maximize your fullest potential. If you want to do great things to get to your big dreams, you have to be ready for anything, both mentally and physically.
Prepare yourself for far more difficult times by adjusting your mindset. Stretch yourself by living with a larger than life mindset capable of withstanding victories as well as failures. Your mindset if a powerful tool that will strengthen your willpower to achieve your ultimate goals.
“People can really be smart or have skills that are directly applicable, but if they don’t really believe in it, then they are not going to really work hard.” — Mark Zuckerberg
5. Say No To Deals, Discounts, Goodies, Etc.
Everybody loves shopping. And it becomes even more exciting if there’s an ongoing sale, special promos, or discounts. Giving in to these harms your financial health as it could lead to overspending. Justifying unplanned purchases affects your entire budget which is something that you have to avoid to hit your targets on time.
Stick to your financial plans by listing down the essentials. Avoid spending too much time loitering inside malls or groceries, and same goes in e-commerce sites/apps. Keep in mind that even if it’s a good deal, if it’s something that you don’t need on a daily basis, it is not worth buying.
The Bottom-line
Learning to say no is an attitude that will teach you self-control as well as discipline, which are both needed in order to make things happen. If you can control your mindset, you will be able to control your entire life. Accept that fact that you also have limitations as a human being but it does not have to hinder you from moving on to milestones ahead of you.
Originally published at medium.com