January is almost over. Like many professionals, I used this month to reflect on what I wanted to accomplish in 2017. I tried to keep my list of goals short and focused, but I went into the year with a lot on my plate. How am I going to make room to take on these new things? That’s where an important skill comes in: saying no.
Most workers today have way more to do than they can handle. It’s often smart (and necessary) to say no to more work. First, carefully weigh the time, effort, and opportunity costs when you’re asked to do something new. If you need to turn down the request, express respect and empathy for your colleague. Provide a clear but short explanation for why you can’t do what they’ve asked, and consider offering a lifeline, a small way you can be helpful without taking on the full project. For example, you could serve as a sounding board for your coworker’s ideas or help them find another person to handle the task. And make sure your body language supports your kind but firm refusal. If you fidget or your voice is unsteady, you may seem wishy-washy. Finally, you may need practice to get better at turning down requests. You can write down what you plan to say and imagine how you would handle difference scenarios. Though it might be unpleasant, saying no now is much easier than explaining later why you dropped the ball.