Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.”
When you say you’re going to show up, show up. Saying “yes” gives people hope, “no” shuts doors, and “maybe” gives false hope in most cases. If your intention with “maybe” is really a “no,” you’re better off just saying “no.” I’d rather receive a “yes” or a “no” any day than a “maybe” that people never really intend on following through with. And I don’t think I am alone in this.
Cutting “maybe” out of our vocabulary communicates our intention to people and shows respect for the time of others. Doing this gives the gift of time back to other people, rather than holding it until they see our plan was never to show in the first place. You will let people down more if you tell them “maybe” and don’t show up, rather than saying “no” in the first place.
Time is a gift that we give to others. Share on X