Disagree without being disagreeable

"The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say 'no' to almost everything."

-- Warren Buffett

This quote from fellow Midwesterner and lover of diners -- which are about all that Warren Buffett and I share -- recently crossed my line of vision causing great pause. Perhaps that morning I was feeling overwhelmed, blaming myself as to how I arrived at this present condition and wondering why more opportunities where showing up when I wasn't looking for them.

Many of us feel overwhelmed, overworked, underemployed and underappreciated. Recent press has cited that 52 percent of Americans feel as if they are in a perpetual Monday at their jobs. They are there at their jobs, but their not very excited about it and certainly not being productive or feeling fulfilled.

If so many feel that they are in a perpetual Monday, is it possible to step away from the non-ending Mondays?

There are many things that can be done but the plainest is to surround yourself with people who care enough about you to tell you what you don't want to hear.

We each need people in our lives. Even the most extreme introvert who is worn out by being around people needs to have people. To acquire a life that is more than this world has to offer you need people who care about you enough to disagree with you.

Now, you don't need to surround yourself with disagreeable people. In your life you need fewer and fewer people who look for opportunities to tell you how wrong you are. You do need people who will disagree with you without being disagreeable.

A true friend is one who will disagree with you in a spirit of love because they want they best for you. An even better friend is one that sticks with you even when you reject their counsel.

Proverbs 13:20 says, Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. (NLT)

When you and I intentionally seek out others who in their experiences have the ability to speak into our lives and we are open to receive their counsel we will be better for that. We need a counsel to help us figure out what to say "yes" to and getting help saying "no."

Robert Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more of him at rohurtgen.com.