Sometimes saying ‘no’ can be the hardest thing you’ll ever have to utter. But it’s an absolutely necessary lesson to learn, particularly in business. This lesson can easily bleed over into personal relationships. The point is to learn how to stand your ground before you feel like you’re being walked on by everyone in your life simply because you want to be liked or are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. The truth is, there’s a tact and art to turning down something or someone you don’t want to associate yourself with or commit to. And no one has to get hurt. It can be clean, simple, and un-emotional. And one of the greatest things you’ll ever do for your self-confidence. Read on for an important lesson in respecting your own boundaries.
The Art of Saying No: How to Stand Your Ground
Do you ever feel like you are constantly going out of your way to do things for other people? Do you have a tough time saying no even when you really don’t have the time or don’t want to do the favor being asked? Sometimes saying no can be a real challenge – you don’t want to disappoint the person asking the favor – so even when you’re not feeling it – you find yourself agreeing to do a favor or complete a task. For some, saying no in the workplace is incredibly tough; you’re ready and willing to take on new projects all the time. For others, saying no to friends and family is where the trouble is. No matter which part of life you struggle with saying no, learning how will help you and those around you, understand exactly how and when to draw the line. Not sure how to get yourself acquainted with this new habit? Here’s a look at the art of saying no: how to stand your ground.
Be confident in saying no. Rather than offering a hesitant no…or a “maybe I can squeeze that in,” just stand strong and tough in your no.
Stick to your decision and skip the guilt. You know more than anyone what you can or cannot do – and if you need to draw the line, there is no reason to feel any sort of guilt. Just let it go.
Rather than going on and on about you’re reasoning for saying no, be short, sweet and to the point – and then, simply move on.
Think about how saying no to someone else is really like saying yes to yourself. When you follow through on a no – and it makes you feel good to know you stood your ground – keep in mind that you’re empowering yourself.
Make your NO not really seem like a no. Try rephrasing so that you’re turning a negative into a positive. You can say something like, “how about we take a look at this in the future?”
Put a value on your own time. Sometimes other people don’t value your time in the same way you do and it’s your responsibility to be clear and firm about how busy you actually are.
Remind yourself that just because you’re saying no does not mean you’re a bad person or that you are a disappointment to anyone. You know your limitations and you aren’t afraid to draw the line.
Do you have trouble saying no? Which one of these tactics can you start with to help give yourself the chance to start learning how?
