Debra Eckerling (author of Your Goal Guide) helps you decide what and what not to say yes to in her Linkedin post for August.
One of the biggest challenges people have is saying, “No.”
It may be a volunteer request from your kids’ school, an “optional” event invitation from a peer, or a casual acquaintance making a guilt-ridden plea for your time, energy, and expertise.
Whatever the scenario, chances are any time you say Yes, when your gut is telling you NO, any or all of the following may occur:
- The commitment or task takes two or three times longer than anticipated
- Other responsibilities get pushed back or do not get done at all
- You are exhausted, frustrated, and mad at yourself
You could have spent that time working toward your goals or at least engaging in #selfcare. You promise yourself it won’t happen again … until it does. Stop the #selfsabotage!
Yes or No: How to Decide
Here is a simple way to avoid – or at least lessen – regret, wasted time, and frustration.
Before you commit to anything, ask yourself three questions:
1. What is the benefit? Will it help me professionally, personally, or both? Does it reflect my mission?
2. What is the commitment? Do I have the time and bandwidth to take this on?
3. Do I want to do it? When it comes right down to it, this is really the only answer that matters. Something may not benefit you professionally. However, if it sounds like fun, that’s a good enough reason to go for it.
Final Thoughts
Whenever you make a decision to do – or not do – something, consider yourself first. Granted, emergencies happen … and in those cases the choice is clear. However, if someone asks for a favor, and your answer is NO, mean it, stick to it, and keep any (necessary) explanation short and firm.
Think of saying NO as giving yourself the gift of time. And you can spend it any way you want!
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How do you say, “No?” Do you say, “No?” Please share your experience in the comments.
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Are you ready to choose yourself? Need some guidance figuring out what you want and how to get it?
Give me an hour, I’ll give you a plan.
As Your Goal Guide I offer standalone consultations and ongoing support to help people find, plan, and achieve their #goals. Message me to set something up.
your goal guide
A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals
Start with a plan. One of the biggest reasons goals fail is that we often don’t put enough thought into what we really want before diving in. Your Goal Guide by Debra Eckerling starts with that first, crucial step: figuring out your goals and putting a plan in place. As a professional writer, communications specialist, and project catalyst with more than 20 years of experience, Eckerling is prepared to help you achieve success.