“Focusing is about saying No.” ― Steve Jobs
We only have a certain amount of bandwidth, and too many of us suffer from “decision fatigue” because of the thousands upon thousands of tiny and inconsequential decisions that drain us. Steve Jobs wore the same outfit of turtleneck, black jeans, and sneakers every day to conserve some mental capital that he allocated to creating beautiful products.
Every thing you say “yes” to takes time from other things that could be more important. Even a small yes such as accepting a meeting you really don’t want is an hour of your life that you could spend developing yourself, or building your business, or with your significant other or kids. That yes is a distraction from what is more important.
No preserves energy.
No gives you options.
No to little things lets you say YES to the big things.
No is conserving your power so that it can be given to the most important things.