Gretchen Rubin Quotes

I think the New Bohemians' inability to say no was a big part of our problem.

I've gotten myself into some difficult situations because I couldn't say no.

There are too many things I find it difficult to say 'no' to.

Learn to say no, so your yes has some oomph.

Be a function of your values rather than a function of the impulse or desire of any given moment.

We are like a rider on top of a gigantic elephant. We can steer the elephant, and if he's not busy, he'll go where we want, but if he has other desires, he'll often go where he wants. How can one control the elephant? In part, this comes with maturity. In part, this comes with the development of your frontal cortex, so the frontal areas of the brain are especially involved in self-control, in suppressing your initial instinct to act. This is why teenagers are so impulsive. So it's terrible to allow the death penalty for teenagers, because they really don't have working brains yet.

We always do what's natural, only sometimes we shouldn't do it.

Older people do a better job of managing their impulses, and so they're better able to put off putting off.

The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.

Adults devise a plan and follow it, children do what feels good.

The power of saying no is so much more than the power of saying yes.

Do not suffer a sudden impression to overbear your judgment.

If you are going to leave message, you have to be able to give enough value or reason to get your voice mail returned.

Temper your future actions.

Avoid making irrevocable decisions while tired or hungry.

It is madness to risk losing what you need in pursuing what you simply desire.

I don't have a belief problem, I have a focusing weakness. I focus on what's loudest instead of what feels best.

Don't let your emotions overpower your intelligence.

Don't say yes to everything. Learn how to say no, because people respect a no.

Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.

Develop your reflective will and gain better insight before you say or do something.

The ability to say no is a tremendous advantage for an investor.

I waited a second. Should I? No... but I will.

You’ve gotta keep control of your time, and you can’t unless you say no. You can’t let people set your agenda in life.

A man is rational in proportion as his intelligence informs and controls his desires.