u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003ca href=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ClaireLouge1080x1080.jpgu0022u003eu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-13702 alignleftu0022 src=u0022https://pcaaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ClaireLouge1080x1080.jpgu0022 alt=u0022u0022 width=u0022176u0022 height=u0022176u0022 /u003eu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWritten by Executive Director Claire Lougeu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnA couple weeks ago, several of my team members and I went to Baltimore for the national conference of Prevent Child Abuse America. I love conferences for two main reasons: I get to connect with people who care about the same things that I do, and I get to be inspired by what other people are doing.rnrnIf you’re like me, when you come back from conferences or trainings, your mind buzzes with all the u003cemu003enew thingsu003c/emu003e you want to do. New programs. New approaches. New policies you want to advocate for, or new practices you want to implement.rnrnThe more we learn, the more we know what we need to do. The more we learn, the more we u003cemu003ewantu003c/emu003e to do. And there is so much that could make a difference.rnrnBut here’s the reality that I have a hard time contending with:rnrnu003cstrongu003eWe can’t keep on adding things to do without giving some things up.u003c/strongu003ernrnIn other words, u003cstrongu003eif you say yes to something, you’ll need to – eventually or now - say no to something else.u003c/strongu003e Because even if you have unlimited resources and unlimited people willing to do the work (what a dream!), there’s always a limit to time.rnrnYou want to do everything. But you can’t. So how do you choose what to say yes to?rnrnI don’t have the perfect answer, but I think the best approach r is something like this:rnrnYou pick the intersection of what you u003cstrongu003ecare aboutu003c/strongu003e, what you u003cstrongu003elove to dou003c/strongu003e, and u003cstrongu003ewhat is neededu003c/strongu003e.rnrnAnd you do that. And you say no to the other stuff.rnrnWay easier said than done, of course. Saying no is hard, especially if you’re passionate, motivated, and you don’t like disappointing people. And if you’re reading this, I bet I just described you.rnrnBut it’s your u003cemu003eresponsibilityu003c/emu003e to say no. Because if you keep on saying yes, one of two things will happen:rnu003colu003ern tu003cliu003eYou will burn out.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eYou will do nothing well, because nothing is getting your wholehearted attention.u003c/liu003ernu003c/olu003ernOr both.rnrnEmbrace learning opportunities to get inspired, motivated, and connected. Use them to get clear on what you care about, what you love to do, and what is needed. And if something strikes you as needing more of your energy and attention, and if you want to say yes to taking on something new, think about what you’re willing to give up to make space for that commitment. Because you can’t say yes if you aren’t also willing to say no.
