May 17, 2024

How to Say "Yes" to the Person, "No" to the Task

by Our content team
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[Narrator] In this video, we're going to-

[Charlie] Hey Jemma, sorry to interrupt, but can you get those figures to me by the end of the day?

Sure thing, Charlie. Today, we're going to discuss-

[Female] Jemma, hey, do you think you can help me with that report?

Yeah, I'll just finish up here. We're going to talk about how-

[Male Coworker] Jemma, can you attend the lunch and learn?

[Female Coworker] Can you come in early tomorrow?

[Male Coworker] Did you file the-

- No! The problem is, most of us have an innate desire to please. Saying "Yes" feels good, but saying it too much can result in burnout, fatigue, and stress.

So, prioritize.

Next time someone comes to you with a request, ask yourself, "Do I have time for this"? "Am I the right person for the task"? "Does the request help me to achieve my goals"? If your answer is "No" to any of these questions, then you're best off saying "No" to the task, too.

But, this doesn't mean saying "No" to the person. Explain why you can't take on the task right now, then find other ways to help them out. This could be as simple as pointing them in the direction of another person who's better suited to the task, or scheduling in some time later.

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