Work Smarter: Live Better
Bonjour Ces,
There’s a funny paradox I often see in the workplace.
On one hand, so many people say to me: “Cyril, I’m really struggling to say no.” Honestly, if I had a dollar every time I heard that, I wouldn’t be rich but I wouldn’t be far off.
But in the very same breath, those same people also say: “I’m stressed, I’m overwhelmed, I’ve got too much on my plate.”
And here’s the kicker: research shows that more than half of professionals are stressed with their workload because they admit they can’t say no.
In this video, I want to share one simple mindset shift that can help you break that cycle.
I’m in Goa, India, working with a group of leaders from a global organisation. During the workshop, we got into this exact discussion—how hard it is to say no.
They told me: “Cyril, it’s impossible to say no to my colleagues. It’s impossible to say no to my leader. And I definitely can’t say no to my clients.”
As a result? They’re drowning in work and living in constant stress.
But here’s the truth: you already are saying no—all the time. Every time you say yes to something, you’re automatically saying no to something else.
The problem is that most people don’t do it consciously.
So, here’s a simple exercise to flip this around. Instead of letting “no” happen by accident, get clear about what you’re really saying no to.
How? Build what I call your ideal week.
1. Start with the personal.
Block your non-negotiables first—family, health, passions. If it matters to you, it deserves a spot in your calendar.
2. Add your big rocks.
These are your key priorities, the things that truly move the needle long term. Protect time every day to progress them.
3. Layer in the ongoing tasks.
Emails, admin, day-to-day responsibilities. Yes, they matter, and they need time too.
When you do this, you’ll realise that 60–70% of your week is already blocked before you even add in a single extra meeting or request.
So, the next time someone asks, “Can you do this?” you’ll pause and think:
- If I say yes, what am I saying no to?
- Do I need to adjust the timeline?
- Or can I say yes, but with boundaries?
Now, my question for you is this: Are you clear on your non-negotiables—both in business and, even more importantly, in your personal life?
The clearer you are, the easier it becomes to say yes with intention… and no without guilt.
Hope you have a beautiful and lovely day!
À bientôt,
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