Do you overcommit yourself, agreeing to do too many things and finding yourself overwhelmed? Whether it’s job related or not, you have the right to say no to some things. In fact, it’s actually a useful skill to know how to say no without letting guilt drive your decision-making process. Guilt can be a powerful motivator, but it shouldn’t be the reason you do or do not do something.
Guilt is tricky. Don’t mistake guilt for a sense of obligation to your employer or loyalty to someone else. There are many times when it is not only within your right to say no, it is actually beneficial and wise to do so. When do you do things because you feel guilty, you won’t have the physical, mental and emotional capacity to deal with the things that are actually important and necessary.
Learning to say no is about learning to have a measure of control over your life, your time and your work. The key to this is figuring out how to prioritize things. For example, guilt should not cause you to commit to things that are not in your job description at work or things that will cause you to lose focus from the critical aspects of your job. Ask yourself if you really can or should say yes and how that choice will impact other obligations you have.
The same applies to your personal life. You have the right to save space for the things that really matter. When you prioritize well and refrain from saying yes to too much, you will be in a place where you can be more present and purposeful in your everyday life.
Guilt can be powerful, but you can train yourself to set aside this feeling and think practically about the things you’re asked to do. When you are in control of whether you say yes or no instead of guilty feelings, you’ll make better decisions that will set you up for success and more peace of mind.
By Meagan Kerlin for Vertu Marketing LLC