Can you remember a time when you have said yes to something when secretly you wanted to say no?
Are you at a point where you are resenting the workload and weight of responsibility that appears on your shoulders and you would like some clearer boundaries in place.
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It's not easy to do. Asking for support, saying no and setting clear boundaries shows bravery and courage and it protects you from spreading yourself too thinly and experiencing burnout.
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If saying NO is something that you are practicing then here are 6 ideas to help you ditch the guilt and better ring-fence your precious energy
1. Know your boundaries
Be really clear about your non negotiables and what you are willing
and unwilling to say NO to.
2. Take your time to respond
Avoid feeling pressurised to reply straight away, take your time and consider your position before you give a response.
It is ok to ask for a reasonable time to consider your response but be aware of taking too long and procrastinating.
3. Avoid being vague
Ensure that your NO is a NO and you haven't left the door half open. 'I'm not sure' 'perhaps' and 'I might be able to' are vague and unclear to the other person.
4. Be gracious
Thank the person for thinking of you and remain kind.
Say no to the task but yes to the person e.g I'd love to help you but I don't have time for that task right now.
5. Start small
Practice saying NO to small tasks every day and build up your capability for when the big challenges emerge.
6. Avoid over explaining
and making up fake explanations, or give one out of pressure.
A simple no is enough.