What is it about saying no that makes some of us so anxious? I'm convinced too many people overload their schedules simply because they are too concerned with what others think to tell them no. Saying no is simple, really: "No, that really doesn't work with my schedule right now." "No, my time with family is so precious, I really can't afford to add another responsibility right now." Busyness is often based in fear, and fear of what others might think tops the list.

A friend shared recently that she'd been asked to take on a volunteer project that she wishes she'd never been asked to do. She feels bad about not taking it on, so she's trying to figure out how to pile it on top of all of the other stuff on her schedule, including the start of a new school year for her kids, volunteer work at church and new responsibilities at work.

"Well, they really want me to do it and I'd be letting them down if I try to pass it off to someone else," she explained. "It's just once a week. It's for a good cause." It sounded more like she was trying to convince herself rather than me. "What do you think?" she asked.

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