Are you ever asked to volunteer for something or
work on a project you didn't want to do? Did you feel pressured to say yes when
you really wanted to say no? Maybe you needed the money, didn't want to
disappoint someone, or the old guilt thing?
In a coaching session yesterday, my client began
the conversation talking about how overwhelmed she felt. Two weeks ago she felt
a money crunch and agreed to take on a project with a client she found
difficult to work with. Aspects of the job required her to research areas that
were out of her expertise and were time-consuming. Additionally, she had been
afraid to set her fees at a level that compensated her real value. So, she was
doing work she didn't enjoy that ate up valuable time for low pay because she
needed money and felt desperate to say yes. Sound familiar? Let me also add
that when she focuses on doing what she loves, she always attracts money!
We all find ourselves in situations when we want
to say no in business situations and in our personal livesand may not
have the words to tactfully refuse.
If you struggle to find the words to say no,
check out these three resources:
Get
More Done
How
To Just Say No
20
Ways To Say No
There
might be times when saying yes is the right thing for you when you want to say
no. I suggest getting crystal clear on your reasons and intentions for
your decision so that it is one you can make freely and joyfully without the
shoulds and guilt attached. Aside from
an emergency that requires an immediate decision, take at least 24 hours to
consider a request before jumping in with both feet and having regrets. You’ll
be glad you did!
Exercise to do in the next 24-48 hours:
Review the resources on saying no and practice some of the suggested
strategies. Write down your observations about what happened. This exercise
will help you in areas of both business development AND personal development.
PS: Need help making decisions? Grab my eBook, How Do I
Choose? to help you make rock-solid decisions
