Saying "No" Can Save Your Life

Just two months away from completing my Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Florida International University, I was riding my bicycle from work to the campus to proctor an exam for my adviser while he was traveling to a conference that I was to attend the next day. Running late, I took a shortcut through a parking lot to a side street to avoid traffic. In doing so, I looked for oncoming traffic to my left while turning right...not looking where I was going.

The next thing I remember was waking up face down on the street to a paramedic telling me to stay still while a puddle of blood poured from my mouth. I had hit a delivery truck that was parked in a no-parking-zone at speeds near 20 miles an hour. If I had not been wearing my helmet and not been as strong as I was, I would not be sharing this story now. I was airlifted to the nearest hospital where they removed the remainder of the teeth that had been broken out of my mouth and sewed up the gaping holes in my shins from the fender of the delivery truck. I was discharged that evening.

For the remaining weeks of my degree, I worked and went to class missing my five top front teeth. I had no dental insurance and was living check to check at the time. This was one of the most humbling gifts in my life. Yes, I said gift because injuries and adversity provide a great amount of introspection forcing you to figure out what you are made of and what kind of resiliency you have.

But at the time, I didn’t see it that way. I blamed others for my own faults of overextending myself, procrastination and general lack of preparedness which ultimately lead me to be running late and not looking where I was going leading to me nearly losing my life.

Now, I can’t say that I don’t still overextend myself, procrastinate or lack preparedness but the frequency is way less. To minimize these from occurring, don’t be afraid to say “no” to things or tasks if you’re already at your limits, keep a journal and write your shit down! I can’t tell you how much of a difference that has made for me to keep me present and not like a pinball in a pinball machine! Take care of one thing at a time, multitasking is a myth.

If you have a similar story of adversity and what you learned from it to improve yourself, write it down, share it with your peers, clients and colleagues.

Be well.