{"id":2203,"date":"2011-03-07T08:44:06","date_gmt":"2011-03-07T08:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.planetofsuccess.com\/blog\/?p=2203"},"modified":"2020-02-03T16:36:10","modified_gmt":"2020-02-03T16:36:10","slug":"learn-to-say-no","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planetofsuccess.com\/blog\/learn-to-say-no\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn to say “No”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Having to deal with a rejection can be tremendously difficult. But something that many people find even more difficult is to be the one who has to reject. And so it happens that many of us accept obligations that we would have rather avoided. Sometimes we accept out of politeness, in other cases because we simply don’t know in what possible way to say no. Nonetheless, we always end up with dreadful responsibilities or massive amounts of extra work. So why not learn how to politely decline a request and save a lot of time and nerves? It’s time to stop being everybody’s darling<\/a> so that you can finally live your life the way you want it to.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing how to say “no” in an appropriate manner is quite difficult. For the beginning, it can be very helpful to simplify the basic principle that stands behind the concept of rejecting. It might help to see the situation just as emotionless as a robot. So, whenever a person confronts us with a demand (request, requirement, insistence, postulation, challenge, claim, etc.) we will have to evaluate the demand based on whether we can satisfy\/adhere to it, like it, feel comfortable with it or not. Based on this we will have to make a decision to either accept or reject it. In theory, declining is that easy. If you like it you accept it. If you don\u2019t like it you just say \u201cno\u201d and reject it.<\/span> Unfortunately, if it was that simple to say \u201cno\u201d as in theory you wouldn\u2019t be here and read this article, would you?<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to the fact that we are no robots (luckily!) it is not as easy for us to make a decision based on whether we just like something or not. There will always be other factors that highly influence our decision-making process<\/a>, so let\u2019s just call these factors the social component or simply conscience, for now. In many cases, the social factors impinge upon our willingness to say \u201cno\u201d and convert it to a grumpy \u201cyes, fine\u201d, whenever we fear to hurt the other person\u2019s feelings. This also happens when we do not want to disappoint a person or fear the consequences of rejecting the demand. A perfect example for this is when your boss asks you if you could do some extra work, even though you are already having a chaotic work-overload that requires you to do overtime. Would you swallow your anger and agree to do the work or would you clearly express that you will not be able to do the extra work while risking to disappoint your boss when doing so?<\/span><\/p>\n

In many cases, the inability to say NO<\/strong> can become a severe psychological problem, as we tend to forget to take care of OURSELFES<\/strong> and what WE<\/strong> really want, while simultaneously trying desperately not to hurt others with our rejection. You see, it\u2019s a vicious circle of being oversensitive with others while withdrawing the attention from our own feelings and demands.<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter if you rationalize it as a sign of friendship, kindness or compassion whenever you say “yes” when you know that you should have said “no” – in the end, it doesn\u2019t change the fact that you have agreed to do something you absolutely do not want to do. Something that might require you to invest a lot of your valuable time, lie at beloved ones and things you just get done by hook or by crook. All the hassle, just because you don\u2019t want to give others a reason to think negatively of you or believe that they will quit the friendship\/business relationship when you\u2019re not doing everything they demand. Apropos friendship, a real friend will try to get his\/her life straight, without exploiting you and by any means; no true friend will quit the friendship with you, just because you aren\u2019t willing to do a favor in a given situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Back in the days when I was approximately 17 years old I was an employee and had a colleague who was a very good friend of mine. He often requested me to help him with getting things done or whenever he didn\u2019t know how to approach a given problem\/case, etc. It wasn\u2019t a problem for me to help him wherever I could, and as he was a very good friend of mine I always agreed to help him, even if I had to put my important work aside and had to catch up on that later. Over the time, I noticed that my colleague asked me for help on very similar procedures and tasks all over again, even if I had explained it just one week before. He wasn\u2019t just asking me out of inexperience, he was simply asking me out of laziness, as he was too lazy to write down what I told him, remember it or to create specific patterns that would help him in similar situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

After some weeks, I started to realize that whenever I should have said \u201cno\u201d, but answered with a \u201cyes\u201d, trouble was the result – no matter if I had to work longer, did things with dislike, couldn\u2019t focus on my own tasks and so on. It even went so far, that the more I answered with a \u201cyes\u201d the more was I being utilized by my colleague – not because he had bad intentions, but simply because he was lazy and knew I would help him anyhow.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the end, I was spending way too much time, energy and concentration on things that other people should have been concerned with, rather than with focusing on myself, my own tasks and my own development. I knew that if I wouldn\u2019t clearly draw a line<\/a> and have the courage to say NO, the time I could spend for myself would reduce itself drastically in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

For me, it is an essential part of my life to be able to clearly say \u201cno\u201d, whenever someone asks me to do something I don\u2019t want to do. I\u2019m not rejecting others because I want to be rude or impolite, I neither want to hurt their feelings nor do I want to insult them; BUT I\u2019m living my own life in an independent way and don\u2019t do \u201chum and haw\u201d, but clearly say NO whenever I can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to help. This does of course not imply that I\u2019m going to reject my best friends’ appeal for help whenever they are in a problematic situation and need my help urgently, but it means that I won\u2019t drop everything just to drive them to work after missing the bus continuously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rejecting\"
Learn to reject a request<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, to make a long story short; how can we learn to say NO and above all how to clearly say NO and how to communicate a rejection the best way?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Manual on How to Say \u201cNo\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

A) The right mindset about rejecting<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before we\u2019re getting started with the different tips, tricks and methods on how to reject someone\u2019s demand it is important to have the right mindset about what it really means to say \u201cno\u201d. I think most people associate feelings of guilt with having to reject a friend\u2019s request, which often gets exploited and enhanced by these friends by expressing their disappointment, being angry at you and similar social manipulation tactics. However, I\u2019ve made the experience that rejecting someone with a clear \u201cno\u201d doesn\u2019t mean you are being disagreeable or even rude. It neither means that you are a terrible and unreliable friend nor that you will miss opportunities in your professional life. What it means is that you have a clear agenda in life, know that your time is very valuable and have a plan on how to spend that time throughout the day and above all, it means that you aren\u2019t a nanny for your friends and colleagues. After all, you (should) have your own priorities, interests and requirements in life, just as everyone else has.<\/span><\/p>\n

B) Simple ways to say \u201cno\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the end, it doesn\u2019t depend on the message, but on how you deliver that message. This means the fact that you reject someone is by far less important than the way how you reject that person\u2019s demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. The aspect of self-confidence<\/span><\/h4>\n

As I\u2019ve already mentioned in the above, the importance of how you deliver a \u201cno\u201d is very important and will help you to terminate endless discussions and attempts of manipulation in the very beginning. One aspect of this communication process is the question on how confident<\/a> you deliver the \u201cno\u201d. When you struggle with your decision or are unclear on whether to say yes or no, the opposite will recognize this and instantly refuse to accept your rejection – as it sees the opportunity to persuade you to change your mind. So, the next time someone asks you to do something you absolutely don\u2019t want to do, tell yourself mentally: \u201cI can\u2019t and won\u2019t do what he\/she asks from me and I will communicate this fact clearly with certainty and confidence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The following exercise will help you to meet your decisions faster and more confident.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Meet decisions like a Samurai<\/span><\/h4>\n

Yamamoto Tsunetomo<\/a> was a wise samurai of the Saga domain and narrated many of his prudent thoughts to a fellow samurai, which were finally written down in \u201cHagakure, the book of the Samurai\u201d. One quotation of Yamamoto Tsunetomo in Hagakure says:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. (\u2026) With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What Yamamoto says, is that one should rather come to a quick decision within 20-30 seconds, rather than delaying it over and over again, until many days and weeks have passed. By taking a deep breath, while knowing that you will have to finalize a decision within the next seconds, you will train your decision-making abilities and find it easier in future situations to make a confident and final decision. So, rather than pondering for hours on what options to choose, finalize a decision and stick to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. The perfect formulation<\/span><\/h4>\n

In the following, you will find some helpful formulations and phrases that will help you to say \u201cno\u201d in many different situations. The formulations vary from very weak excuses (\u201cI\u2019m not certain, yet!\u201d<\/em>) up to very direct and clearly communicated \u201cno\u2019s\u201d (\u201cNo, I don\u2019t want to!\u201d<\/em>) and are arranged from weak to strong.<\/span><\/p>\n

a) \u201c(That\u2019s a good idea, but) I\u2019m not sure, yet!\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n

Obviously, this one is just a way for you to win time, especially when you are struggling with the decision. Furthermore, you should only make use of the \u201cthat\u2019s a good idea, but\u201d if you truly mean it that way. But, responding with the above-named formulation will not get your problem solved, as the counterpart will ask you again and again until you met a final decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other delaying tactics could be immediate changes of the subject after responding that you aren\u2019t certain as of now to another topic you feel more comfortable with, for example by asking a question.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, yet\u201d<\/em> is just a delay tactic when it comes to learn how to effectively say \u201cno\u201d and will not help you to finish the subject once and for all. Therefore, you should only make use of it, when you are really struggling to come to a decision or when you could not find a good explanation on why you rejected the demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to deploy? For temporizing decisions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

b) \u201cI\u2019m very busy at the moment; can we discuss this in x hours\/days?\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n

Who doesn\u2019t know this scenario: you\u2019re in the middle of some very important task that requires all your attention when a colleague or friend interrupts you with a question or request for help. Normally, you have the choice between either (harshly) rejecting them or putting your own work aside for some time in order to help them. Both of it may not be acceptable for you, especially when you really want to help this person, but cannot interrupt your work. So, why not try the above-named phrase? Okay, \u201cI\u2019m very busy at the moment; can we discuss this in one hour\u201d can be seen as just another delaying tactic, but it can and should be used whenever you are very committed to an important task but like the idea\/request or really want to help the person that\u2019s asking you for the favor. Rather than having to decline to do the favor you get the chance to buy some time and to get back to the person in several hours, days or weeks; whenever you aren\u2019t that stressed and can totally focus on the question or inquiry of the opposite part.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very busy at the moment; can we discuss this in x hours\/days?\u201d<\/em> is a great way to show your counterpart that you are currently in a rush, but are willing to help him at a later time. This way you can come back to the person when you aren\u2019t in the middle of important work. Or reject with a plausible explanation.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

When to use? In busy situations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

c) \u201cI can\u2019t manage that as I have to focus on important affairs.\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n

The above-named statement has basically the same message as b) \u201cI\u2019m busy right now\u201d, with the difference that you will not offer to help the other person. By telling the other person that you currently have important affairs going on you clearly communicate that you cannot help at the moment and that the person should refuse from future demands. If you want you can also add some information about the project that currently demands all your attention and how long you plan to be occupied with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t manage that as I have to focus on important affairs\u201d<\/em>, will help you to decline the other persons request in a friendly but crystal clear way.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to apply? As a polite but direct form of saying \u201cno\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

d) \u201cI\u2019m not too confident with that. Why don\u2019t you ask X?\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n

No matter if you have moral concerns with the type of work, not enough knowledge about it or know that you won\u2019t be a helpful contributor to the completion of the task; that\u2019s the type of answer that helps you to reject the offer effectively. Your rejection might even be understood positive when you are able to refer the other person to someone who can actually help, or someone who can help them better than you can. The trick is to offer an alternative solution that sounds more promising than you do, which will not only help you to reject the demand without even communicating it, but it will also please the counterpart as it is one step closer to the solution for the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Conclusion:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not too confident with that. Why don\u2019t you ask X?\u201d<\/em> is a good way that allows you to refuse to help someone in a topic you don\u2019t feel yourself comfortable at.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to apply? As a very polite, indirect way to say \u201cno\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

e) \u201cNo!\u201d<\/span><\/h5>\n

The sincerest way to reject a request is to communicate it straightforward and direct with a \u201cno\u201d. Doing so will help you to avoid bringing up excuses and will nip further discussions in the bud. The key to this is to clearly communicate the fact that you are rejecting the request, as you will be facing endless discussions and attempts of manipulation as soon as you are struggling with your decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Why applying it? It is an honest and time-saving answer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

C) Dealing with manipulation<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the end, I think that it is important that you are mentally prepared that the counterpart might try to manipulate you, in the hope that you will change your opinion after a while. When you understand that aggressions, accusations or even an emotional outburst such as crying are attempts to manipulate you, it will be by far easier for you not to change your decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, it is always advisable to include an understandable, reasonable and confident statement on why you are saying \u201cno\u201d to someone\u2019s request, especially when meeting this person face to face.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are your strategies to say no to others?<\/p>\n

The following articles might also be interesting for you:<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n