Massage & Bodywork

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019

Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1153082

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 18 of 124

16 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 9 BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS best practices Saying no is an art, and doing it well will gain you respect and build a helpful sense of confidence. It's so easy to say yes to new opportunities. It feels good to be invited and to be asked to help. It feels good to know you are wanted and needed. And it feels good to be helpful! At the same time, it feels heavy and defeating to be doing work (paid or volunteer) you don't really want to be doing. Doing work that emotionally and financially drains you is a path to discontent and burnout. It can be really hard to refuse an opportunity or step away from a regular gig, but it's possible to do so gracefully—and it will get easier with practice and preparation. Saying no is an art, and doing it well will gain you respect and build a helpful sense of confidence. If you've struggled with saying no to volunteer work or paying jobs you just don't love—or don't pay well—take heart! We've got some tips to help you build your "No, thank you" muscle. STOP SAYING YES At least, stop saying yes immediately. Resist the urge to get excited, even if it is an exciting opportunity. This takes some practice because, well, new opportunities are exciting, right? Here are some scripts to help you stall: • "Oh! That sounds exciting! I'll need to look at my schedule and see if that's something I can fit in." • "What a great opportunity! I'll need to do some thinking to see if I'm the best person for this." The Art of Saying No By Allissa Haines and Michael Reynolds

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Massage & Bodywork - SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2019