Today’s blog asks the question, have you found yourself in the unenviable position of doing something you don’t want to do because you feel like you should? You would rather be somewhere else, yet you find yourself doing what was expected because you don’t have the guts to say “No?” If this is you, read on and see how to just say no.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
The act of saying no when you really don’t want to do something may take a bit of practice. Many can’t say no because they feel guilty or they don’t want to hurt the feelings of others. Remember saying yes to one thing means saying no to another. Choose wisely.
A BIT OF ADVICE
Grammerly.com reminds us that saying no isn’t always easy but it is often necessary. Here are 5 examples of how to say no nicely.
- Cushion your “no” with kindness or a compliment. Give the recipient a few words to feel good about despite the rejection.
- Give your reasons. The person you’re saying no to might appreciate a brief explanation.
- Be brief but not brusque. You don’t always have to explain yourself, but it is considerate to provide an explanation rather than being thoughtless and non-responsive.
- Leave the door open. Sometimes you don’t want to say “no” so much as “not now.”
- Offer an alternative. If your answer is no, suggest an alternative.
SERIAL PEOPLE PLEASERS
Many have a hard time saying no because we are people pleasers. We don’t want to let someone down even if it is the right thing to do. The word no often takes planning. It’s perfectly reasonable to delay your response until you’ve had time to think it through. It becomes easier to then offer an alternative that is more preferable to you.
ART
The art of saying no is empowering. Imagine the freedom when you no longer feel the need to cater to the needs of someone else. You can now make room for what you would rather do. Learning to say no is an essential part of self-care. Setting healthy boundaries is critical in maintaining physical and emotional strength so you can still care for others without losing yourself in the process.
R E S P E C T
After reading that last header, couldn’t you just hear Aretha Franklin belting out her famous R E S P E C T? That being said, when you say no when that is what you really mean, it indicates respect you for yourself as well as the other person because you are being your honest and authentic self. Good for you!
HDD
We prefer to say yes! Yes, we would be happy to assist you with your diagnostic ultrasound needs. Yes, we will see you as soon as humanly possible. Yes, we respect your time and your situation. Do we have all the answers? No. Will we do everything within our power to come up with workable solutions? Yes! Call us at 505-349-3397.