We are all busy and it seems that we are getting busier by the day. Some of us enjoy this while others are negatively impacted. Often we don't want to disappoint someone else so we tend to say "yes' when asked to do something. Unfortunately this desire to help, or rather not to disappoint, might be detrimental to our wellbeing.
Saying "yes" may be important to you so keep doing so if you can do the work to the best of your ability without it impacting on you. However, if you are saying yes because not doing so might make you look bad, appear selfish or unlikable, or that you just don't have the gumption to say "no" then here are a couple of tips that might help;
· Delay the decision - Tell the person that you just need time overnight to sort out your other commitments. This will give you time and distance to make the decision plus the bonus of making you look like you are in control of your workload.
· As yourself "Do I really want to do this?" - If the answer is no then you should say so. You don't have to be that blunt with your reply, say something like "I am flattered that you have asked me however I have so much on at the moment that I simply cannot give it my best."
· Clarify the timeline - If it is something that you want to do then clarify the timeline. Does the task have to be completed immediately or is there the opportunity to extend the timeframe.
· Can someone else complete the task - You may be the right person but there will be others who are just as good as you. It is important for businesses to spread their workload so offer up another name who you know can do the task.
· If it's your boss asking – Outline to your boss the many tasks that you have yet to complete and ask him or her which one they would like you to concentrate on first. They may not know how much work you have to undertake.
Remember that you need down time to do things to relax. Saying "no" can be difficult, more so if you have got into the habit of saying "yes". Know that saying "no" can also be exhilarating. Your brain will eventually thank you for saying it.