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Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 Ten
Tips to Help You Say “No”
By Victoria Munro
Printable version
As a business owner, you may receive constant requests
for your time from clients, vendors, colleagues and
employees, as well as from family and friends. If
you’re not careful, that precious time you need
to focus on growing your business and taking care of
yourself can be eaten away, leaving you stressed
and behind schedule.
Though you want to be helpful to others whenever you
can, developing the art of graciously saying “no”
can be key to your survival and your sanity. Below are
ten tips to help you:
| 1. |
Learn
from the past—remember what it’s
like to feel guilty and frustrated about commitments
you’ve made to do things you don’t have
the time, energy or desire to do. |
| 2. |
Think
and plan ahead, blocking out time on your
calendar for activities important to you. Saying
“no” is easier when that time is already
scheduled for something else. |
| 3. |
Commit
to never giving an immediate response—request
time to think about it. Simply say, “I need
time to think about this. I’ll get back to
you.” |
| 4. |
Weigh
the costs and rewards. Ask yourself, “Will
scheduling this cause undue stress? Does this align
with my goals?” |
| 5. |
Learn
to say “no” directly, without
feeling guilty or giving a lengthy explanation.
After all, you don’t usually offer a reason
when you say “yes.” |
| 6. |
Be
prepared for others to push your boundaries
and be ready to say “no” as many times
as it takes. |
| 7. |
You
may be able to avoid a confrontation by offering
the other party choices. |
| 8. |
When
you’ve said no, remember that you’re
not responsible for others’ reactions. |
| 9. |
Practice
saying “no” until it feels comfortable
without offering any explanation. |
| 10. |
Before
making a commitment, be sure you have a complete
understanding of exactly what’s being asked
of you. |
(313 words)
© 2005-2007 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
You’re welcome to “reprint”
this article in your ezine, print publication
or on your website, as long as it remains complete and
unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end). Please send a copy of your reprint
to info@make-it-fly.com.
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