About Purpose: Just Say, "No"

Just Say, "No"

He looks once more at the telephone slip on his desk. The woman has called him three times since he met with her about her company’s product. He dreads telling her he’s not really interested. So he pushes the slip aside, once again. Just say, “No.”

The secretary can’t take on even one more project. And his immediate supervisor still hasn’t dropped off the month-end correspondence. And yet he knows that Mr. Thompson needs some typing done before Friday, too. How is he going to get it all done? He’ll have to find some way to bury some of it and he’s still going to be stuck here all weekend. Just say, “No.”

The national conference is in less than a week. There is no way she can get the booth built, write the sales scripts, and prepare the session she agreed to give. She has three customer call backs to do today and a demo that will take up most of tomorrow. Why did she ever agree to do the conference? Now she sees nothing but sleepless nights ahead of her. Just say, “No.”

Why is it that scenes like these are repeated day after day, month in and month out all over? Why do we find it so hard to just say, “No?” Maybe it’s an irrational belief that saying “no” is a negative thing. Here are some alternate ways of looking at the problem that may make it easier for you to say, “no” next time.

Saying “no” does NOT hurt people’s feelings – at least if it’s done with tact. Failing to say, “No” and then letting someone down – now that’s likely to hurt people. Failing to say, “No” and then stringing them along with false expectations is even more hurtful.

Saying “no” does NOT communicate that you’re selfish. As a matter of fact, saying “no” shows a realistic grasp of the situation and a genuine desire to see that the other party’s needs are not stymied by poor planning.

Saying “no” does NOT leave people in a jam. Rather, saying “no” encourages careful planning of resources and improved time management.

So, just say, “No.” The word is purposely sprinkled throughout this article so that you can begin practicing. Replace your irrational beliefs about the word “no” and begin using it when it needs to be used. Just say, “No.”

PS. Learn more about organizational and personal ethics on the SWiMstartingwithme.com website, follow current issues through my SWiM blog (http://www.swimstartingwithme.com/blog.html), and use some of the resources – both free and for a fee – to change your company.

About Purpose is about your purpose.

Aim: Identify and articulate your purpose.

Arm: Shape yourself around your purpose.

Act: Achieve your purpose.

Just Say, "No"