As the world has advanced and technology has changed, so have the people, but sometimes not for the better.

Our society has formed into a dependent child. Relying on other people to help aid in success has become the foundation for every growing youth or young adult in all walks of life. With this being the case, it is very hard for a hard-working, independent, self-sustaining young adults to come around. When these go-getters are discovered, their energy is cleaned out by every employer, friend, and superior that they associate themselves with.

When your life revolves around independence and compassion, it can be very difficult to say no, especially if you're a natural leader and you care about the people around you. However, there comes a time in every 'yes' person's life where they have to draw the line and just say no. After wasting a large portion of my life on people that didn't deserve it, I stopped constantly saying yes to everything and started sticking up for my own integrity and personal well-being. In doing this, I discovered quite a few things.

First, I realized that in saying no, I felt relieved. Don't get me wrong, there is a moment after saying no where you find yourself concerned for the feelings of the person you just rejected, but in the long run, it feels kind of good. Instead of being stressed with another burden on your shoulders, you find yourself being able to manage your current multitude of tasks much simpler. You're already juggling enough, don't overload yourself.

Second, most of the time that you say no, people won't be as hurt as you seem to think they will. I know at the moment it feels like the end of the world and they may be taken back a bit, but they won't hate you and they certainly won't judge you off of this action. In fact, they may develop a new sense of respect for you. If they do end up being sour about the situation, then they're probably not worth your time and energy anyway.

Last, saying no is empowering. It feels great to confidently and politely decline a request, especially if the person requesting you to do something commonly takes advantage of your eager heart and willing character. Now, don't mix up what I'm trying to say here. I'm not telling you to go on a power trip and reject everyone, but you'll realize that sticking up for yourself and acknowledging your own limits is an amazing feeling, and sometimes incredibly important.

Although your heart wants to put others first, you must also consider yourself and your own health before committing to something. Occasionally, saying no is the best route for every party involved. You don't owe any of these people anything, so don't lose sleep when you tell them that you can't do what they want you to do. Whether your manager is asking you to come in early or your friends are asking you to do a project for them, only say yes if you confidently feel like you can handle it.

So, give it a shot. Say no. You might be surprised at the outcome.