Let me give you permission today and forever more to say no. No, thank you. That is a complete sentence. There is no need to explain. If a client or a team member is not a good fit for your firm, it is ok to say no. If a vendor is offering a service you dont really want or need, it is ok to say no. If you are invited to an event and you don’t really want to go, it is ok to say no.
It took me many years to be in a place where I am ok with a no. I used to be plagued with “should”. All the “shoulds” would make me say yes when my gut instinct was saying no. I never had success following a “:should”. You? Count up the times you have said yes because of a “should” and then turned out a big regret.
Lets agree, no more “shoulds” and more straight up “no, thank you”. Always be polite. Simply say “no thank you.”. No further explanation needed. If someone asks for an explanation, sure, feel free to share your why but dont feel obliged to have to have an excuse for every no. Most often, just a polite no thank you is enough.
As we move into this final quarter of 2024, make changes that will have us finish the year strong!