Carlos Alvarez of My Empowered World writes:
When “No” Is The Best Choice
Have you ever been asked to do something that you didn’t really want to do? Did you accept? Doing things for other people – whether it’s staying late at work, loaning money, or doing a favor – requires a certain amount of time, money and energy on your part. Doing something for someone will increase your happiness, but it is important to do it only if you can afford it.
When deciding whether to say “yes” or “no”, one must consider the opportunity loss of following through with the request. Opportunity loss is what you lose if you do action #1 versus action #2. For example, if your supervisor is asking you to stay late at work (action #1), the opportunity loss (action #2) could be the time missed with your family at home. There might be more of a personal fulfillment if you say “no” to working an additional hour and enjoying quality time with your family.
Think About Your Long-Term Goals
Other people place their priorities first. We will not have enough time for ourselves if we say “yes” to everybody else’s requests. Consequently, we will not be able to say “yes” to the things that matter the most. What is most important to you and what are your long-term goals? Saying “no” is a great tool in your arsenal when the request conflicts with your personal goals.
How To Say “No” The Right Way
Burning your bridges is never a good option. People place trust in you when they ask you for a favor. You would love to fulfill their request if you had unlimited time and energy. Saying “no” the right way is important. First, thank the person for asking you to do something. Secondly, explain that you are honored to be considered, but will not be able to fulfill their request. Third, mention that you might be able to help the next time. For example, “Thank you for asking me to babysit tonight! I am honored that you would consider me to take care of your baby. Unfortunately, I have plans for tonight, but maybe I will be able to help next weekend.”
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About the Author
Carlos Alvarez, BA is a holistic blogger who enjoys topics ranging from natural medicine to fitness and exercise. He is currently a pre-med student at the University of South Florida and writes lifestyle articles as a main hobby. Carlos enjoys learning about a variety of wellness activities, which are both exciting and beneficial for our long-term health. Carlos is focused on personal growth and the pursuit of happiness. He believes that our wellbeing depends on our abilities to nurture our minds, bodies and spirits. During his spare time, Carlos enjoys blogging for several online communities, including castilesoap.com and myempoweredworld.com. Carlos also enjoys reading physical books; favorite authors include Dale Carnegie and Viktor Frankl.