For many of united states of america, it's very difficult to say no. We're asked to take on extra assignments at piece of work and assistance colleagues and clients with projects that might be outside our official chore description. We're asked favors by our friends, by our families; and sometimes fifty-fifty by our LinkedIn connections. And though it'due south overnice to help, we can end upwards overburdened with tasks and responsibilities we're not passionate about.

Saying no is hard, but even harder is living the life you don't want to pb because you couldn't say no. So, a few years agone, I made it a New year'due south resolution to learn to say no. And it's been an incredibly liberating experience. Here are the tips I've used and see how y'all tin can incorporate them into your life.

1. Recognize the legitimacy of proverb no. Information technology'southward OK to say no. I'll say that again: it's OK to say no! When we call up about maxim no, we're often focused on how our friend or colleague will react. How disappointed they volition experience, and how bad that makes us feel. But how nigh you and your feelings... and your life? If yous say yes to everything and everyone, y'all'll cease up without the time or energy to do what you really love to do. And is that what you really desire? So, instead of thinking about "no" as a bad affair, call up nearly it equally maxim "yeah" to you and your family and the other commitments you actually care about. Bluntly, if you lot say yes to the right things - to the things that y'all really care well-nigh and that are important both personally and professionally - it will feel much more legitimate and comfortable to say no when the fourth dimension comes. Now doesn't that feel better already?

ii: Find your vocalism. If you're not used to saying no to things, it's sometimes hard to actually detect the words to say what you desire to say. I personally like to brand sure I thank the person making the request, and offer what feels to me to be a legitimate excuse. For instance: "I really appreciate you thinking of me, but I've only got too much on my plate right now" or "Thank you so much for the invitation. I would love to practise it/serve/get involved, but I just can't correct now. I hope you volition think of me again" or, just, "I'yard simply not able to do this right at present, but thanks so much." In the stop, the key is to find what works for y'all.

3: Press pause. In the estrus of the moment, it'south especially hard to say no. This is specially true for people you like or for causes you lot care about, but where don't have the time or resources to commit. And so instead of having timing work confronting yous, make time your friend. Don't answer right away. Purchase yourself time to think about the request past thanking them for the opportunity, requesting some time to think about it, and fifty-fifty perhaps proposing a specific time to get dorsum to them. Most people will sympathise this and yous'll be able to buy fourth dimension for yourself in the process.

Proverb no is hard to do. But so too is burdening yourself with tasks and activities that you don't actually have your heart in... and, equally a upshot, constantly putting your true cocky on hold. So, apply these tips to bring a trivial more "no" into your life. You'll exist surprised how liberating information technology feels, and how much more productive y'all'll be.