In the fast-paced world of career advancement, it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed with commitments and obligations. You want to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, but doing so can lead to burnout and hinder your path to success. We have all been there, and not only once. You may want to please more than one person, and eventually, this may become too much to handle. One has to learn when to say no, why it’s essential, and how to decide what to decline, all to help you achieve your overall goal.

Skills to develop

1. Recognising the Signs of Overcommitment:

To know when you’re taking on too much, it’s crucial to recognise the signs of overcommitment. These signs may include feeling overwhelmed, missing deadlines, experiencing increased stress, or neglecting personal well-being. By being aware of these signs, you can take the first step towards balancing your commitments.

HELPING HAND: journalling regularly allows you to offload your thoughts and feelings and can lend a hand here.

 2. The Power of Saying No:

Saying no is a valuable skill that can help you focus on your priorities. It allows you to reserve your time and energy for essential tasks and opportunities that align with your career goals. Embracing the power of no is necessary to succeed in your work and beyond. 

HELPING HAND: Make a ‘NO’ list on a card and look back on it often when overwhelmed or when you commit to something new.

 3. The Art of Prioritisation:

You must be clear about your goals to decide what to say no to. Define your short-term and long-term objectives and ensure every commitment you consider aligns with these goals.

HELPING HAND: Ask yourself, “Will this opportunity or task bring me closer to my career aspirations?” If the answer is yes, it’s worth considering; if it’s no, it may be time to decline.

 4. Setting Boundaries:

Creating healthy boundaries is crucial for maintaining work-life balance and well-being. Learn to communicate your limits to others effectively.

HELPING HAND: Don’t be afraid to politely decline offers or requests that don’t align with your goals or are beyond your capacity.

 5. Effective Communication:

When saying no, it’s essential to communicate your decision with empathy and clarity. Explain why you declined an opportunity or request, emphasising your commitment to your current goals and projects. 

HELPING HAND: This can help maintain positive relationships and show that you’re professional and dedicated.

 6. Learning to Delegate:

In some cases, saying no doesn’t mean rejecting an opportunity entirely. Instead, consider whether you can delegate specific tasks or responsibilities to others. Delegating can free up your time to focus on the high-impact aspects of your coaching business and career.

HELPING HAND: Learn to get better at delegation and aim to master this skill.

My thoughts

I hope my ‘helping hands’ will arm you with some valuable ideas to try and the merits of each case. My ‘NO’ list resides on my vision board and reminds me to realise when I stray from my overall goal and bring me back onto my chosen path. We can all fall foul of straying. The first step to prevent this is to create a ‘NO’ list. The second is to remember to add to it. The third is to return to it and reassess it at quarterly intervals. It is there for a reason – to help you stay on the right path to success.

Parting words

In your journey to achieve career success, the ability to say no and prioritise your goals is a vital skill. By recognising when you’re taking on too much, understanding the power of saying no and honing your decision-making abilities, you can create a path to success that aligns with your aspirations. Remember, saying no to some opportunities today can pave the way for more extraordinary achievements in the future.

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Yours

Dr Tisha Patel

Career and Performance Coach, NHS GP Director, UK