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The question

In the last five years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Paul Graham

Co-founder of Viaweb and of the startup accelerator Y Combinator; essayist

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
When I ask myself what I've found life is too short for, the word that pops into my head is “bullshit.” I realize that answer is somewhat tautological. It's almost the definition of bullshit that it's the stuff that life is too short for. And yet bullshit does have a distinctive character. There's something fake about it. It's the junk food of experience. If you ask yourself what you spend your time on that's bullshit, you probably already know the answer. Unnecessary meetings, pointless disputes, bureaucracy, posturing, dealing with other people's mistakes, traffic jams, addictive but unrewarding pastimes.

Graham's own essay site, paulgraham.com, 2016 source ↗

Others on this question

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Henry R. Kravis Financier; co-founder of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
And that’s what’s given us the ability to say no. It’s one of the most important things at the end of the day, being able to say no to an investment. Even if you’ve done a lot of work, work will never hurt you.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview, 12 February 1991 source ↗
Winston Churchill Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, 1940–1945 and 1951–1955; Member of Parliament 1900–1964
I hope not too much on them. Well, really, we have to concentrate on the grim emergencies, and when we have solved them, we shall be in a position to deal with the future of the world in a manner to give the best results, and the most lasting results, for the common peoples of all the lands. But one has only a certain amount of life and strength, and only so many hours in the day, and other emergencies press upon us too much to be drawn into those very, very complicated, tangled, and not in all cases attractive jungles.
Recorded An unnamed correspondent at the White House press conference, Joint press conference with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the White House, The American Presidency Project, 23 December 1941 source ↗
Joyce Carol Oates Novelist, short story writer and essayist
I’ve turned down opportunities constantly. I turn down invitations to do things for money. I have almost no interest in making money.
Recorded Academy of Achievement interview, 20 May 1997 source ↗
Richard Feynman Theoretical physicist; Nobel laureate in Physics, 1965
the colonel said I shouldn't tell them how the neutrons work and all the details because we want to keep things separate, so just tell them what to do to keep it safe.
Recorded Engineering and Science / Caltech Magazine, 1976 source ↗

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Steve Jobs, Ory Okolloh, Joyce Carol Oates, Henry R. Kravis, Roddy Doyle, Richard Feynman

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