An Invaluable Time Management Skill - The Ability to Say No
Time Management Training Seminars:
We help the participants in our Time Management training workshops to accomplish their time management goals through the use of our Time Management Use Analysis Tools which include case study analysis, time management skill analysis, group problem solving, priority analysis, time management games and exercises, and on line pre-work.
For free, no obligation information on how we can help you please contact us today.
Participants in our Time Management training courses will learn:
- How to devote more time to important activities every day
- How to prevent those daily “fires” from undermining important goals
- To identify and communicate goals that keep priorities straight
- How to design an effective To-Do list
- How to deal with interruptions
- The art of delegating low-priority tasks
- How to organize your “busy work,” errands, etc.
- How to use Time Blocks to maintain effectiveness
- How to eliminate most annoying paper work
- To balance professional responsibilities with personal time
- To choose and use time management tools
- How to set goals and evaluate them so that they provide value
- How to stop procrastinating NOW
- How to say NO (in a nice way, of course)
- Identify and arrest time bandits
An Invaluable Time Management Skill - The Ability to Say No
People often remark that they have trouble with time management. They don't have enough time in the day. They are always running behind. They rarely meet deadlines. If only they could manage their time better.
Saying one short little word - no - can be the most important time management skill you can develop. So why is it so hard to say? Possibly because when growing up we were told that it's not nice to tell people no. And now, after all these years, we still feel guilt when we don't comply with someone else's wishes.
Saying no when you don't want to say yes is something everyone needs to learn to do. Too many times we get badgered until we finally say yes. Unfortunately, too many people can't or won't take no for an answer so they continue to ask until you cave in and agree. This is probably because too many people use other words that give the person hope that you'll say yes:
- Maybe
- Let me think about it
- I'll get back with you
- I need to check my calendar
- We'll see.
I wrestled with this time management issue for years. J.Sewell Perkins, my life/business coach, suggested when I'm asked to attend a meeting, go to lunch, take in a move, etc., and I don't want to or can't, to respond this way:
I appreciate you thinking of me, but I cannot.
You don't owe an explanation, and after you've used this technique consistently, people will realize you mean what you say. In the meantime, you might be pressed to change your mind. Your response can be:
I respect the fact that you want me to attend; please respect the fact that I cannot.
Other responses, depending on the request, are kind but firm:
I'm honored that you invited me; however, I must decline.
I would love to, but my schedule does not permit another item on my calendar.
This sounds like a great opportunity, but at this time my family needs my attention.
Your request is tempting, but when I agree to do something I give it 100%. At this time I know I would not be able to do that, so rather than disappoint you and myself, I must pass.
These simple statement allow you take your life back and politely, but firmly, say no.
Remember, saying no is not selfish. Saying no is not rude. Saying no is not wrong.
Saying no to others is saying yes to yourself. Then, when something comes along that you do want to do, you'll have the time to graciously, and happily, accept.
Cindy Hartman is Co-Owner of Hartman Inventory Systems, a complete turnkey business package to start your own personal property (home) inventory business. Learn from her years of experience to shortly reduce the start-up and trial and error issues faced when starting a business on your own. [http://www.HartmanInventorySystems.com]
Category: Time Management Training