4 Life-Changing Reasons Why You Should Start Saying No

And 3 strategies on how you can say no without feeling guilty

“Can you get this done by tomorrow?” “Can you replace me at work tomorrow?” “I know it’s last minute, but can you come to work tomorrow?

During my first year of working, I keep saying yes to all the requests by my colleagues and boss. I want to be seen as the perfect employee. I want to show my employer that I am always there for the company. But I end up feeling tired all the time.

It is difficult to say no. ‘No’ is a word that packs so much power. It is something that deemed unfavourable. I feel bad when I rejected someone’s request.

I am not sure about you, but I tend to put other’s interest above mine. I always want others to feel good, but I neglect my interest by doing so.

I have the experience of agreeing to help out, but I end up getting annoyed with the tasks. I bet you had the same experience as me.

Think about an experience where you agreed to do something unwillingly just because you feel bad rejecting them.

What if the things you are asked to do are something you don’t want to do and do not give you any value? You want to say no, but you worried you might hurt the other’s feelings. You said yes for few times, and they will take you for granted.

After a few bad experiences of saying yes, I realised that I should learn how to say no. I shouldn’t be agreeing to every request. Here are why you should start to say no:

You Have More Time for Yourself

Remember, you have your priorities. When you say no, you allow yourself more time to do the things you need to do.

Some requests that I received are out of my job scope. It should be their responsibility instead of mine. There are times when I find myself helping them to their job because of their incompetency. By helping them, it causes a delay in the job that I should be doing.

It is okay to say no at times.

Prevent Burnt Out or Overworking

By saying no to certain requests, it give you a breather and prevents you from overworking.

Imagine you agreeing to your colleague asking you to help out on a project during weekends. It is the only time in the week to rest and spend time with your family, but you still need to work. If you accept every request thrown at you, all the extra work that you need to do will make you burnt out.

It Affects Your Mood

By accepting every request, you fill up your calendar with work that adds no value to your life.

Remember that time you agree to do something, but you keep on complaining about it? You wished you had rejected the request. You’re likely to feel angry when you are doing something unimportant and brings no value to yourself.

Destroy Your Reputation

You are putting your reputation on the line when you accept every request from everyone. People will have expectations of you. If you are unable to deliver the job on time, people may stop trusting you.

There are many ways we can say no. But we need to do it politely and not hurt that person’s feelings in the process. Here are three strategies that you can use:

Be Honest and Quick

If you already knew you wouldn’t be accepting the request, tell them right away. This way, you will not be holding up their plans. They have time to find someone else to do it.

You should also be honest with them by telling them why you are not up for the job. They would appreciate it if you do so.

Gives suggestion

You can suggest someone who can take up the job or suggest alternative ways of completing the tasks.

Plan Ahead

It is easier to reject someone by text message. For instance, you receive an invitation to a party through Whatsapp.

Here’s how I would respond if I already knew I wouldn’t be joining:

A: Hey, would you like to come to the party? B: That’s very nice of you. Let me check my calendar and get back to you. A: Okay, sure! B: (a few minutes later) Hey A, thank you for the invitation. I am sorry that I am not available on the day. Enjoy the party!

Takeaway Message

Next time when you are asked to do something, give yourself a moment to think, ask yourself is worthwhile for me to do the job, or it is better to say no.

It is your right to say no. You don’t need to feel obliged to say yes to every request. You are in control of your time. Saying no allow you to say yes to the things you want to do.