20 Ways to Say No

First off I have to say that I dedicate today's post to my friend Jennifer McChesney!!! She will know and understand why. We at times both need to learn 20 Ways to Say No and because of this she also knows why we are such great friends and understand each other so well! Thanks for always being such a great friend!

Today is one of those days where I need to take my own advice! I have a lot going on in my life right now and I am working on finding balance. In my last post, I talked about taking time out for yourself and how vacationing really does revive you. I stand by that post, but am having one of those days where life just comes at you and you have to deal.

But what I know is that some of my having to just deal with life is of my own doing! I tend to think (as most people do) that I am capable of doing more than can actually fit into the waking hours of one day. So I found a list that I feel we call all learn from, even me the Professional Organizer! This list is from a great book - Organizing Plain and Simple by Donna Smallin and the list in the book is from Ramona Creel of Organizng Online.

20 Ways to Say No:

1. I can't right now, but I can do it later.
2. I'm really not the most qualified person for the job.
3. I just don't have any room in my calendar right now.
4. I can't but let me give you the name of someone who can.
5. I have another commitment.
6. I am in the middle of several projects and can't spare the time.
7. I've had a few things come up and I need to deal with those first.
8. I would rather decline than do a mediocre job.
9. I'm focusing more on my personal and family life right now.
10. I'm focusing more on my career right now.
11. I'm don't really enjoy that kind of work.
12. I can't but I am happy to help out with another task.
13. I've learned in the past that this isn't my strong suit.
14. I'm sure you will do a wonderful job on your own.
15. I don't have any experience with that, so I can not help you.
16. I'm not comfortable with that.
17. I hate to split my attention among too many projects.
18. I'm committed to leaving some time for myself in my schedule.
19. I'm currently not taking on any new projects.
20. No.

And if these great "excuses" don't work, then the person you are dealing with may also suffer from too many committments not enough time! The important thing to remember is that you need to do what is best for you and your family and not what is best for everyone else. You can not be at your best if you are at someone elses best. So go out today and liberate yourself by telling someone no thanks, and not feeling guity about it!