Make NO Easier
I was telling someone today about a time MANY moons ago when I was in a Boy Scout meeting. The leader stood up and asked every parent that was too busy to take on another task to raise their hand. I was one of the few that admitted to that. Ewww, wrong move on my part. He told the other parents to look at us (picture red faced, awkward moment for me). He then went on to say that we would be the ones that would be doing. You don’t want to know what my inside voice said but I’ll just say I wasn’t agreeing with him. However, he turned out to be right.
Do YOU have a hard time saying “NO” even if you don’t have the time or energy to take on something else? This is the season that it is so easy to get over extended. I read an article the other day that helped.
- Not go into a long explanation of why you can’t
Say something like “I would but I already have plans”
- Give a firm NO – don’t hem and haw
They think they still have a chance and will pressure you.
- Give them other alternatives or compromise if you’re really feeling guilty
Say something like “I can’t do ……. but how about if I help with …….”
We’re all busy this time of year. People want to get together, there’s shopping and baking to do. In my case, I have one child’s birthday the 25th of Nov and one the 23rd of Dec. Obviously, I didn’t think that through very well at the time. LOL.
For us here, we’re working on websites, training and many are trying to make the most of the Christmas shopping season by getting sales. Don’t get burned out trying to do it all. You might have to JUST SAY NO and mean it. Determine what your priorities are and work from there.
I admit I still have an issue with this but I’m getting better by thinking about what will matter 5 years from now. What will matter to you?
Another one of our WA members, Richard (rwagener) wrote a blog that will help you if you're still working on that DEFINITE NO.
http://flexitimemakemoney.com/if-you-want-something-done-get-a-busy-person-to-do-it
Have a great weekend.
~Debbi
Recent Comments
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It's just another form of peer pressure. I find it a lot easier to say no these days than I used to but for some reason it's bred into us that we should say yes and that still makes it difficult.
It is hard to say no, but am getting a little better the older I get. I have a daughter's B-day on Dec. 27, a grandson B-day on the 20th and another on the 26th. None of us planned very well either. lol :)
Yes, that's a lot of birthdays. What were we thinking...............oh yeah, we weren't. LOL.
Good post and bought back memories of hubby. He was always banging on about the ability to say no. He could, and never gave any excuses, he'd just say no, end of!
I'm still learning but now taking a leaf out of his book! :)
Men seem to find that easier to do. Women feel guilty when they do it. I'm coming back as a man in my next life. LOL.
Good advice. I'm also getting better at saying no, Debbi. I am currently working 4 part-time jobs and I can't squeak in one more thing. I'm looking to ditch about two of them. So I've been saying no quite a bit lately.
I am guilty of that to Debbi can't say no, everyone can depend on me, but only recently I am looking out for me for a change funny though am on my own. :-))
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Great article, thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, Herbert.