Saying No - New Years Resloution

A few years ago I was developing a strategic direction for an organisation and a guy working with me called Steve taught me a clear lesson I will never forget about Strategy.  He said you only have a strategy if you can say no to something. Ever since in all work I do I try to work out if we make this choice what are we not doing.  
In the article from Jim Collins he asks a great question that as you plan your new year resolution it is a great time to decide what you will stop in the coming year.   The key point of the message is best captured in this quote

"the idea of "making your life a creative work of art." A great piece of art is composed not just of what is in the final piece, but equally important, what is not. It is the discipline to discard what does not fit — to cut out what might have already cost days or even years of effort — that distinguishes the truly exceptional artist and marks the ideal piece of work, be it a symphony, a novel, a painting, a company or, most important of all, a life." Jim Collins

The idea of stopping some things and shaping your life is some thing I am considering as an approach in the coming year.   Life has been busy this year and I am tired.  I am not keen 2012 is like this in the same way as 2011.   The only way for this is to say no to some things so the ones I want to do I have time to do.   So as the year starts to wind up I am asking what I will say no to in 2012.

Thanks Steve for that lesson and Jim for this reminder! 

This reflection is pulled together after I read this short article by Jim Collins you may like to check out as well http://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/best-new-years.html