NO! It is probably one of the shortest
word in English and yet the most difficult one to say. Saying No can get you
into trouble at times or make the other person angry.
If you feel that you won’t be able to complete a task effectively, don’t take it. Refuse smoothly.
However, you can suggest someone else who you feel would be apt for the task. This way you would not only get off the burden from your shoulders but also help the other person.
4. Your status- Unavailable
Put your status as Busy or Unavailable or Offline while you’re on the chat. Put your phone on the answering machine or better, switch it off. And, all this is just to avoid and refuse that one persons’ request.
Your fellow employee wants you to help him in a project. But, looking at your workload, priorities and busy weekends, you surely cannot help him. Rather than saying a blunt No, tell him, “I would have loved to help you with this but trust me, I have a very busy week and I need to meet my deadline which is this week’s end. Sadly, it’s a no.” In short, decline but politely.
problem and get back to you when you’re free.
So, next time, if you’re busy or unwilling or have any other reason to refuse to the additional
work (which doesn’t even belong to you and you won’t get credit for that too!), you can happily
and politely say a NO.
However, accepting every other task or
offer may prove to be a bane for you. So, here, we get you a few tips on how to
say ‘No’ graciously.
1. Be
adamant
Your colleague will be permitted a
leave from work only if she completes her target on time. She approaches you
for help. If you’re unwilling to take on her task, stick to your decision. Be
firm.
Don’t provide her with long
explanations. Say a ‘No’ politely.
2. Suggest
an alternative
If you feel that you won’t be able to complete a task effectively, don’t take it. Refuse smoothly.
However, you can suggest someone else who you feel would be apt for the task. This way you would not only get off the burden from your shoulders but also help the other person.
3. Take
time to respond
If a client wants to meet you over a cup
of coffee and you wish to avoid him/her (may be because they eat your head
talking), the simplest and the best option is to respond to the request after a
sufficient time. So, if you answer the request after say, a week, he/she will
get an idea about your ignorance and take it as a No.
4. Your status- Unavailable
Put your status as Busy or Unavailable or Offline while you’re on the chat. Put your phone on the answering machine or better, switch it off. And, all this is just to avoid and refuse that one persons’ request.
5. Say
a gentle ‘No’
Your fellow employee wants you to help him in a project. But, looking at your workload, priorities and busy weekends, you surely cannot help him. Rather than saying a blunt No, tell him, “I would have loved to help you with this but trust me, I have a very busy week and I need to meet my deadline which is this week’s end. Sadly, it’s a no.” In short, decline but politely.
6. Portray
the ‘I am occupied’ image
It is the ending of the month and
everyone at the office is busy working. And you expect your friends at the
workplace to ask you for help. So, why not keep your office desk loaded with
files and keep yourself busy on the phone? This would certainly give out a ‘too
busy with work’ or ‘totally engaged’ impression to people.
7. Postpone
“I am busy for two weeks because of a
deal that needs to be finalized. Do you mind if I get back to you on this
assignment of yours after that?” Postpone the task you have been requested to
perform, if you are busy. If the other
person is accommodating, he/she will understand yourproblem and get back to you when you’re free.
So, next time, if you’re busy or unwilling or have any other reason to refuse to the additional
work (which doesn’t even belong to you and you won’t get credit for that too!), you can happily
and politely say a NO.
