The Power of “I Have to Think About It”

Are You Saying “Yes” Too Often?

We all know the feeling. Someone asks for a favour, an extra shift, a last-minute commitment. Before we even stop to think, the word “yes” is already out of our mouths.

It feels automatic. But why?

For many of us, saying “yes” is a reflex. Maybe we don’t want to let others down. Maybe we feel like we should say yes. Or maybe we’ve never even considered that we have another option.

Bus Drivers & The Yes Trap

As bus drivers, our job requires us to be always ON. We navigate the roads, handle passengers, manage stress—all while being expected to keep our cool. The demands never stop, and that constant pressure can make us lose sight of our own limits.

So when someone asks us for something—whether it’s a coworker, family member, or friend—we push aside our own needs and immediately agree.

Saying “yes” to everything is draining us. We don’t stop to think.

The Hidden Cost of The Automatic “Yes”

🚍 You give up your personal time and energy.
🚍 You feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched too thin.
🚍 You start to resent the very people you wanted to help.
🚍 You miss out on things that actually matter to you.

And then comes the worst part: You look back and wonder, “Why did I agree to this in the first place?”

Breaking the Yes Habit

The key is creating space between the request and your response. And the simplest way to do that?

✨ Say this one phrase:
“I have to think about it.”

That’s it. No over-explaining. No immediate yes. Just giving yourself permission to pause and decide on your own terms.

How to Stand Your Ground

Some people might push back. They’ll want an answer right away. That’s okay. Here’s what you can say:

❓ “How long will that take?”
🔥 “I have to think about it.”

❓ “I need to know right now.”
🔥 “I have to think about it.”

No further explanation is needed. If something is important, it can wait.

Your Energy Matters

When you stop automatically saying “yes” to everything, you start respecting your own time, energy, and well-being.

✅ You create more balance in your life.
✅ You say “yes” to things that truly align with your values.
✅ You let go of guilt for prioritizing yourself.

This isn’t about saying “no” all the time. It’s about making sure every yes is a choice—not a reflex.

Are You Ready to Take Back Your Yes?

💬 Have you ever said “yes” too quickly and regretted it later?