How to free yourself from being too busy
How many times have you heard: "No, sorry, I'm just too busy!" or "Oh I'd love to, but I'm just too damn busy!". I heard it countless times and I must admit I have used the phrase a lot myself. But being "too busy" is only in your mind. And when you realize this and look at it differently, it will make you so much happier!
When you respond to the question: "Wanna go to a bar tonight?" with "I'm too busy" it is not a matter of having too many things to do. It is a matter of you assigning a higher priority to what you are going to do in relation to going to the bar.
There can be many reasons why you don't want to go to the bar; You have promised your parents that you would visit them, you wanted to hit the gym (because you really, really needed to), you wanted to have a night off because of your hectic workweek, finally had time to watch that movie you wanted to see or you wanted to spend some quality time with your (girl)friend. All valid reasons not to go (it's a free country!). But you can't claim you are too busy. You just assigned a (much) higher priority to the other things than to 'going to a bar', which results in you not being able to go to the bar. This prioritizing is by your doing alone. Not because you have 'too much to do'.
So instead of "I'm sorry I'm too busy" you can go for "Because I really want to <have a night off to refuel> I choose to do so instead of <going to a bar>".
This example can be applied everywhere. In your personal life, in your daily tasks, everywhere. Yes, even at your work! Everything is just a matter of prioritizing and the moment you realize this, you can start using it to your advantage. Simply turn your thinking and responses around 180 degrees. Stop saying you can't do and start saying you want to do something which is more fun/important/relaxing/whatever. This has a more positive bite to it. And the funny thing is, our brain is wired to make you feel better even when you only say you are doing something positive. So when you are saying you can't do something you will feel negative, whereas saying you choose to do something else will make you feel positive and you'll enjoy it even more. It's that simple!
So next time when someone asks you to do something with them, decline by saying what you are going to do instead and make it positive. As a bonus that someone might even consider doing that with you instead! 