An old adage says that the most successful people aren't those who say yes most often, but those who say no.
It makes sense:, No' is a means of prioritizing one's time (or even money), deciding where it's best spent and with whom. Yet, no' can be really difficult in a culture that seems to value those who add to their plates instead of lighten them.
And while some people will advise you that, No is a complete sentence' — meaning, we don't always need a grand excuse, explanation, or disclaimers — it's still a good idea to be polite. So how can we get in the habit of politely declining requests that come our way?
Here are some tips:
* Keep it clear and concise. You want to avoid being hounded, and the people asking likely want to avoid being the hounder.
* Avoid the silent treatment. Have you ever wished someone would have just said no rather than avoiding you? Yeah, that stinks. Don't be that person.
* Offer an alternative. In business, this can mean a referral elsewhere. At work, it can be a suggestion for how to get something done another way. In your personal life, perhaps another day or location is better.
* Set ground rules for yourself in advance. It's easier to say no when you've established boundaries for yourself and don't have to take each decision on a case-by-case basis. For example, you might decide that you always work out first thing in the morning — so your calendar is already blocked off and you've mentally committed yourself to something.
* Say thank you. This isn't a must, but it's often appreciated. A thank you for the offer, the opportunity, for thinking of you, etc. — followed by a polite decline.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
