The Importance Of Saying No (And How to Do It!)

Do you find yourself saying "yes" to requests just to keep people happy even when you don't have the time to take on anything else? Or do you struggle to say "no" because you're worried about upsetting someone? These scenarios can be hazardous to your career, health and ability to manage your time effectively so it's important to practice the art of saying no. Here's how...


How to Say No

It's often much easier to say yes to a request than to say no because you eliminate the potential of having to deal with an awkward conversation, maybe upsetting someone, or making yourself feel guilty. But it's important to weigh up the price of compromising yourself and your time, which in turn can lead to increased stress levels as well as less time to meet your own goals and objectives, both personally and professionally. Saying no is not a selfish act, and in fact can often be more beneficial because it means that you can spend quality time on the things that you've already committed to.

So when should you say no? Here are 3 strategies you can use to help you determine when to take on extra work:-

 

1. Be Clear On Your Priorities - make sure you know what your current obligations are before taking on any new commitments. Saying yes when you aren't sure of your workload can lead to disaster
2. Consider Stress - is the request short or long-term and is it going to increase your stress levels? If the request is going to add additional stress to your life, especially in the long-term, give it a miss.
3. Goodbye Guilt - are you changing your plans and doing more out of obligation or guilt? It's OK to decline an offer and stick to your original game plan - doing otherwise will only add to your stress levels.

Once you're clear on your priorities and have put guilt to bed, it's time to say no and enjoy the relief one very simple word can bring. Here are some tips on how to say no easily and positively:-

 

• Be respectful - make sure you listen to the request, and be respectful, even if the person asking isn't - don't let your emotions take hold, it's important to stay calm and in control
• You have a right to say no - have confidence in the the fact that it's your right to say no - people will often have more respect for you if they know they can't take you for granted
• Be polite but firm - quit the wishy-washy responses and avoid the 'maybe' approach, this only leads to false hopes which then come back to bite you later on
• Be honest - don't make up an elaborate story about why you can't say yes, just be truthful and honest about your reason
• Prioritise - if your boss asks you to take on more work, consider asking 'What would you like me to give up in order to create the time to do this for you?"
• Avoid obligation - Depending on the circumstances, you're not always obligated to explain your reasons for saying no - don't feel as though you have to elaborate, a simple decline is enough
• Buy some time - if you still feel hesitant to say no, buy some time so that you can consider your options rather than feeling pressured into saying yes on the spot.

Remember that whilst saying no isn't always easy, and in fact it can be nerve wracking and stressful, the side effects associated with being a 'yes-person' can be much more painful in the long run. It's worth the effort to work through these steps and go through the sometimes uncomfortable process of saying no, so that you can take back control of your time and reduce your stress levels.

 

Written by Faye Hollands, Career Coach and Time Management Specialist at Outshine Consulting. Faye specialises in working ambitious professionals who want to create a career they love, get more done in less time, and be personally and professionally successful.

Click the following link to receive FREE INSTANT ACCESS to a LIVE recording of Faye's recent teleseminar on "How To Create A Career you Love". Click here now for immediate access: http://www.outshineconsulting.com.au/Download.html. Or visit http://www.outshineconsulting.com.au/ for more free career coaching and time management resources.