How comfortable are you with saying no? Why can saying no be so hard for some of us?
While saying no is sometimes easier said than done, but it can be helpful for our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Particularly, when we feel uncomfortable, guilty, obligated, overloaded, or disinterested saying no needs to be an option for us. So how do we get better at saying no?
Knowing the when and why to say no can take practice. It involves setting boundaries which can vary by the situation we are in. Understanding our own values, goals, and priorities can make these decisions easier for us.
Another way is to set rules for yourself. For example, if you’re busy with work obligations, you can only say yes if the request meets a particular criteria or time frame. Being honest and sincere is key in communicating your no – and if it makes sense in the situation, asking for more information or saying not yet or not right now can certainly be helpful options.