Are You an Archer or a Target? Master the Art of Saying "No" to Win the Battle of Time


Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset, Warrior:
Learn to Say "No" to Guard It

Imagine yourself as a warrior, brother, facing a battlefield.

You're armed with a limited number of arrows, each representing your precious time and attention.

Your goal?

To conquer your goals, slay self-doubt, and ultimately, build the life you envision.

But here's the catch: every distraction, every unimportant task, is an arrow wasted, leaving you vulnerable in the face of your true targets.

This, warrior, is the reality of your most valuable resource: your time and attention.

It's a finite pool, and every "yes" you give chips away at it.

That's why mastering the art of saying "no" is crucial in your journey to success.

Think of it like this:

Would you go into battle with only a handful of arrows?

Of course not!

You'd be setting yourself up for failure.

Yet, many of us allow our days to be riddled with distractions, requests, and obligations that drain our precious bandwidth.

Saying "no" isn't about being selfish or rude.

It's about being strategic, about protecting your mental and emotional energy for what truly matters.

It's about prioritizing your goals and values, the arrows you need to hit your targets.

Here's how saying "no" empowers you:

  • Laser Focus: By saying no to distractions, you free up your mind for deep, focused work on your most important tasks. Think of it as sharpening your aim before letting go of that arrow.
  • Increased Productivity: With less clutter in your schedule, you can achieve more in less time. Imagine eliminating unnecessary tasks and suddenly having the energy to conquer that mountain of work.
  • Reduced Stress: Saying no to draining obligations reduces mental fatigue and frees you from feeling overwhelmed. Picture yourself standing tall and confident, arrows ready for the right targets.
  • Stronger Boundaries: By asserting your needs and saying no, you set healthy boundaries and gain respect from others. Imagine building an impenetrable fortress around your time and attention.

Remember, warrior, saying no isn't about rejecting everything.

It's about choosing wisely and investing your arrows in the opportunities that align with your goals and values.

It's about becoming a master archer, hitting your targets precisely, and achieving the life you deserve.

So, the next time someone asks for your time or attention,

Take a deep breath, assess if it aligns with your goals, and if it doesn't, don't be afraid to say "no."

Your success, your fulfillment, depends on it.

Now, go forth, warrior, and conquer your battlefield with the power of focused time and attention!

Charles Doublet

Helping young men to become warriors, leaders, and teachers. Showing them how to overcome fear, bullies, and life's challenges so they can live the life they were meant to live.

Read more from Charles Doublet

Aim High or Get Smashed:Why Reaching for the Stars is the Only Way to Win in Life The other day in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), my coach was teaching us a move to escape one of the worst positions you can be in on the mat—the mount. Being mounted sucks Imagine being pinned down, feeling the weight of your opponent bearing down on you, and knowing that if you don’t get out soon, things are going to get a whole lot worse. It’s uncomfortable, disorienting, and can quickly lead to you getting...

a close up of a black bear with its mouth open in front of a cloudy sky .

The Moment Fear Takes Over I want to talk to you about a moment we’ve all experienced—the moment fear takes over, and we lose control. We’ve all had that one experience where everything goes wrong, and we’re left asking ourselves, “What the hell just happened?” The other day, I found myself in one of those moments on the BJJ mat, and it was a wake-up call. But more than that, it was a reminder that growth and self-discovery often come from our darkest moments, the ones we’d rather forget. I...

Why Adversity is Misunderstood We live in an era obsessed with comfort and convenience. Most people spend their days avoiding discomfort, failure, and criticism at all costs. They work hard to stay in their comfort zones, believing that life is about minimizing risk and maximizing pleasure. The irony? The very avoidance of adversity is what keeps them stuck in mediocrity. When adversity shows up, the natural response is to run, hide, or complain. Why? Because adversity is uncomfortable. It...