profile

Ditch the to-do lists

Graceful Boundaries: Making Your Filter Work

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

🎁 2 of 4: This is part two of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!!

Last week, we created our 3-Question Filter (Does this align? Do I have energy? Will I want this next week?). Now let's turn those "no's" into graceful responses that honor both your creative needs and your relationships.

As an introvert, I often worry about disappointing others. But having ready-to-use responses makes setting boundaries feel less daunting. Boundaries can help protect your creative energy while still allowing you to maintain necessary connections.

THREE SIMPLE RESPONSES

  1. The Pause
    • "Thank you for thinking of me. I need to check my commitments before I can give this the attention it deserves. May I get back to you by [specific day]?"
    • Use when: You need time to run it through your filter
  2. The Redirect
    • "I appreciate you asking, but I'm focusing on [current priority] right now. Have you considered [alternative suggestion]?"
    • Use when: You want to help but can't take on the task
  3. The Clear No
    • "Thank you for the opportunity. I need to decline as I'm protecting time for existing commitments right now."
    • Use when: Your filter gives you a clear "no"

Your Simple Action Step:

Choose one response that feels most natural to you. Write it down and practice saying it aloud a few times. Having it ready makes it easier to use when needed.

Next week, we'll integrate these responses into a simple daily routine that makes using them feel natural and comfortable.

Don't forget that a boundary isn't a wall - it's a filter that lets the right things through while protecting your creative energy. 🔋

I'd love to hear how you're planning to create a thriving and creating work and home environment in the new year! Be sure to subscribe to the No More Lists newsletter for introvert-friendly, right-brain productivity and project management tips.

Ditch the to-do lists

The No More Lists Newsletter

Lists don't work when you are stuck. Learn right-brain productivity, planning and project management tips every week. Join your fellow introvert creators and get things done (from the comfort of your own email inbox).

Read more from Ditch the to-do lists
A couple of glasses of wine sitting on top of a table

🎉 4 of 4: This is part four of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Happy New Year! I hope it's been a good one so far. Over the past three weeks, we've built a system of filters, boundaries, and routines. Now let's create an easy way to maintain these practices without adding pressure or overwhelm. The key is to keep your progress tracking as minimal as your system. Just a quick weekly check-in to notice what's working and what needs adjusting. YOUR SIMPLE...

3 months ago • 1 min read
A close up of a christmas tree with ornaments

❄️ 3 of 4: This is part three of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Over the past two weeks, we've created our decision filter and crafted graceful boundary responses. Now let's weave these into a simple daily routine that feels natural, but not overwhelming - let's call it your MVR: Minimal Viable Routine. The key is to start small. Think of your MVR as your support system – three gentle checkpoints that help you maintain your creative boundaries without...

3 months ago • 1 min read

☃️ 1 of 4: This is part one of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! As creative introverts, we often say yes to things because we want to be helpful, to seize opportunities, or sometimes just to avoid the discomfort of saying no. But taking on too much can drain our creative energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed. What if you had a simple way to evaluate opportunities before they overwhelm you? Enter your 3-Question Filter – it's your guide for making...

4 months ago • 1 min read