Saying No: The Unexpected Power Move in My Reset

tl;dr

• Saying no creates space. Real productivity came when I stopped cramming every hour with calls and started carving out space to think, breathe, and build my business, not just work in it.

• Progress > perfection. I’ve stopped the all day hustle and added a 90-minute end-of-day ritual that helps me feel grounded, focused, and actually accomplished, even if the to-do list is still long.

• Small steps, consistently. This year is about baby steps done daily… trusting the process and surrendering to the outcome.

As our Annual Reset series comes to a close, this reflection invites a different kind of question: not what you’ll do more of this year, but what you’re finally willing to stop.

This year, I’ve been practicing the art of saying no.

Not in defiance, although that might be an interesting approach, but rather in service of space.

Space to think. To breathe. To reflect. To read.

To not be so damn “busy.”

To stop sprinting between calls with no time for myself in a day, never mind getting actual work done.

To stop trying to do the impossible “catch-up” every weekend.

I’ve stopped filling every corner of my day with meetings and working in my business and started creating the space to build my business.

I’ve also traded late-night inbox clearing and project catch-up for a 90-minute end-of-day ritual. I take the time to follow up from my day, prioritize what’s ahead, and exhale.

Now I go to bed feeling lighter, because I actually moved something forward, instead of bouncing between eight calls and scribbled notes that never became anything more.

It’s not perfect, because perfection doesn’t exist.

I’m still left with way more “to do” than time allows.

Some days I still feel scattered and unproductive.

But I’m learning to trust that a little progress every day is better than chasing the hope of one dramatic win.

It makes the days quieter than the hustle — but more fulfilling, and more believable.

I’m also taking more time to read.

Last year, I surprised myself, and I read 25 books, probably more than in my entire life combined!

It started with fiction, with book club picks and a curiosity about the world.

This year, I’ll keep reading for fun, but I’m adding back books that help me grow and understand myself better.

Will I hit a number? Who knows.

I’m just going to keep reading, taking small steps consistently, and seeing where it leads.

I’m trusting in the universe.

Trusting in the process.

Trusting the outcome will be what it’s supposed to be.

I’m surrendering to the outcome and enjoying the journey with my eyes wide open, breathing it all in.

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This wraps up our Disruption Magazine Annual Reset series, where we heard from several leaders on how they’re rethinking and reimagining the year ahead.

I chose a reflective close to our Annual Reset series. Less about tactics and more about unlearning the reflex to overfill our time.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the reflections and explored some of the workshops, gatherings, and sessions we’ve shared along the way.