mantra of the week: “i will not be a doormat!”

well, we’re all taught the lessons we need to learn one way or the other and it seems that mine has sought me out with a vengeance! i have been pursued by a new client whom i can safely classify as “persistant and pushy” – he’s a big businessman who is used to everyone around him saying “yes” and i have a very hard time saying “no” – i actualy like to think i am extremely giving and kind, but in reality i am afraid of confrontation and telling someone no…. so here comes my practice. i am VERY excited to have the business and therefore the income but i am going to have to find a way to hold my peace in the midst of his choas and to set my boundaries pretty firmly.
for instance, he has decided that yoga is his “thing” and wants to schedule as many lessons with me as i have time for in a week (he actually asked me to print out my schedule so he could see when i am free so he can “fill in the gaps”) – sounds amazing huh? well, it is. but i value my time and my sanity more than the money that business will bring me and i am not about to give up my beautiful afternoon park visits with my puppy to make a buck.
so my mom, who gives awesome advice (even if it’s cause she’s gone through it all once and done it all wrong once!), made an amazing suggestion that’s very simple but i wouldn’t have done: actually SCHEDULE those times for yourself. put in a code word or simply make up your own alias and schedule private time when you need it. you don’t have to explain – you just have to say those times are unavailable. afterall, how can i help others find their inner peace if i sell mine for a few extra bucks a month?! brilliant!