START SAYING NO IN A GOOD WAY WITHOUT FEELING GUILTY
It's tempting to say yes to everything because it's easy and feels good as soon as we do it. At the very least, it's certainly better than saying "no," and it often becomes our default response when we don't want to spend a lot of time thinking about the "right" decision.
However, if you are in
the habit of accepting every request you receive, be aware that one of two
things usually happens: you either fill your diary with so many urgent but
trivial tasks that you spend your days spinning your wheels without making any
real progress, or you take on more commitments than you can manage, breaking
your commitments and undermining your online reputation.
It's not hard to learn
to say no. The people you're talking to—your partner, your friend, your
family—may feel angry, frustrated, or hurt. Saying no creates conflict.
No matter how
respectfully and thoughtfully you say "No," some will object, and
others will suggest that you are selfish. Sometimes the kindest "no"
can be perceived as rude, even if you don't mean it.
There is a way to say
no without feeling uncomfortable, damaging the relationship, or feeling guilty.
I'm sorry, I can't do it now
If there are multiple
reasons why you can't go, be more open about it. You may have a scheduling
conflict, but even if that conflict could be resolved, you still wouldn't want
to go. Don't limit yourself to one reason when you say "I can't" so
that you have some wiggle room if the person starts putting up barriers.
It sounds
great, but I can't
Praise them to soften
the blow of your reaction. If someone has invited you to an event they have
organized or are responsible for, it is worth thanking them for their work.
I'm afraid I'm terribly busy without delay
Say you have
got several different things to try to do. It is
important to have an honest work-life balance, so do
not over-commit yourself. If you feel you cannot add
another commitment, this is often a way to tell the
person in a skilled manner.
Keep the door open
You don't want to burn
bridges by turning down an offer. A good relationship with your network is
crucial to accelerating your career, so you want to keep the door open by
saying no from time to time. "I'm not available right now" or "I
don't have the ability right now" are simple statements that show you are
open to a similar opportunity in the future.
Understanding
people's methods
The "most
stubborn" typically get what they need in
life. You may have experienced this yourself: you hired a freelancer who
delivered you news repeatedly, not because he was superior, but because he was
persistent. They have their own methods of
obtaining what they need. If you would like to
avoid linguistic communication contracts that
will not assist you to achieve your career or business
goals, you must understand these methods, particularly when
they involve sales.
Thank you, but I'm not interested
Stand firm if you have no intention of saying yes. This is a pretty tough answer because you are eliminating any chance of future engagement. From a professional point of view, think about what opportunities you are giving up by saying yes. Your interviewer may ask you to clarify your answer if they want to better understand why you are not interested.
Finally,
Every "yes"
comes at the expense of other opportunities, such as leisure and relaxation. To
achieve work-life balance and success at work, you must learn to say no to
tasks, projects, and even opportunities that don't fit your short-term or
long-term goals.
When you decide to say
yes or no to an opportunity, ask yourself: am I closing the door on something
or opening the door to better opportunities?