2-3-4 Friday - The beauty of the non-reply
‘Seeking to spark the most potential within you per word of any online newsletter’
1 thought
Recently I discovered the power of the non-reply.
If you don’t know how to reply something, or you don’t have time to reply something, or you don’t want to talk to someone, just drop your obligation to reply.
There’s real power in that.
Because there are always going to be more requests on your time than you have time for. And if you’re going to deal with everything, then you will never have time to get yourself sorted. You’ll be pleasing everyone but yourself.
But we still feel the obligation to reply because we think that if someone has taken the time to message us, the least we could do is to reply - right?
Wrong. There’s no obligation except the obligation you place on yourself.
Don’t get me wrong. If it’s a friend you treasure, take time to reply them. But what I’m saying is that if the person means little to you, don’t bother with him.
For us to really grow the relationships that matter in our lives, means that we have to cut out relationships that take up too much time, and mean little to us in the long run.
There’s only so many hours, days and years in your life. Giving your precious time to others who matter little, will mean precious little for your loved ones.
After all, you wouldn’t keep conversing with a scammer on the phone right? Why do the same with people who want more time from you, and matter little to you?
1 talk
Before you reply, pause and think - what's the point of this reply? Is this a relationship that I enjoy? That makes me go hell yes! Or that fills me with dread?
1 tip
Still facing difficulties in dropping the obligation to reply someone? Archive the chat or thread with them.
Out of sight, out of mind.
This may sound ruthless. But it’s the same principle as pruning. If you’ve ever grown plants, it may sound ruthless of you to chop off shoots with poor growing leaves. But doing this helps the plant to divert its resources to other parts, so they grow better.
Doing the same with certain relationships may help you to find greater joy in those that are growing well, and give you greater energy to nurture them better.
John, Live Young Live Well