5 ways to say No, and keep your job
It’s so hard to say no. We want to do it all, be amazing and have plenty of energy and time left over.
My biggest challenge as an SLP is balancing a full therapy caseload with being a diagnostician, consultant, record keeper, report writer… Then balancing all of that with being a healthy, happy mom, wife…
I’m preaching to the choir.
Create healthy boundaries for work and taking care of yourself.
Here are 5 quick ways to start doing just that
1. I currently have ______ (tasks) scheduled, there is a waiting list. I should be able to get that done by _______.
Always under promise and over deliver. Put things on your schedule. Then bust-a-move to get it done within the time allotted or beforehand. Consistently over-scheduling or over-working will eventually cause you to feel resentful. We blame the job and people for asking us to do more, but take no responsibility for setting boundaries, completing work within a specific schedule and giving yourself a hard cut off.
2. This week I’m working on _______, _______ and _______. Should I shift priorities for the time being?
Something’s gotta give. If there is a special project that needs immediate attention, other projects will have to be scheduled later. Including the stakeholders in this shift ensures everyone is on the same page.
3. Let me check my schedule or ask______. I’ll get back to you by the end of _______.
This one gives you time to think. Look at your schedule. Prioritize what really needs to get done and what’s important to you.
4. Can you breakdown the most essential parts of this?
Find ways to make it easier. You may be making the task bigger than it needs to be. Sometimes we need it simplified for us. Look at what information is essentially needed to complete it. Sometimes challenge yourself to find simpler way of completing something; for example by sending an email, documenting a phone conversation or asking some one else to do it. Yup, delegate anyway you can.
5. No
You don’t even have to say it out loud. Just say it in your mind. NO, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOO. Not it (finger on nose)! Say no and drop the mic. Don’t over explain, don’t make excuses. You have to use your judgement on this one. Be careful, obviously. No, I cannot attempt to unjam the copier right now. (I’m very assertive with the copier). No, I cannot commiserate right now (I’ve got sh&^ to do). No, I cannot volunteer to bake brownies for the meeting tomorrow. ( Just no.)
Create healthy boundaries that align with your priorities and stick to it. I have 2 little girls and a hubs at home AND a coaching business. So I don’t bring work-evaluations, reports or notes home with me. I stick to that boundary. When I’m at work though, you better believe I am super focused and scheduled. I get to go home and whole heartedly enjoy time with my family.
Oh, by the way. There’s nothing wrong with bringing work home, as long as you like it and it aligns with your priorities.
One last thing
Remember to open yourself to YES too.
Sometimes we are so busy that even a small request can set us over the edge. We might actually enjoy it.
Is creating boundaries hard for you? Take this work to a much deeper, more personalized level. See if life coaching what you need to break the cycle of stress and burnout. Schedule a free consultation with me.
