6 Techniques for Managing Your Time Effectively through Saying “No”

Note: This article is by Diondra Fillacetti, who talks about how to manage your time effectively through saying no.

We may find it difficult to respond to these requests, which can be very stressful. We manage the relationship and attempt to remain professional while addressing feelings of guilt, resentment, and dissatisfaction.

To give you an example I was discussing some of the projects I was working on in an informal conversation with some friends and acquaintances When I got to talking about the career development initiatives I was working on, one of my acquaintances took the opportunity to tell me about a job he was going to apply for.

Then he said, "What is your email address? I will email you my resume so you can review and edit it before I submit it tomorrow." Naturally, I was troubled by his request, but I also had to immediately get rid of any bad feelings I was having, take a moment to reflect on it in silence, and move on.

1. I was taken aback by his first bold request, considering that he was merely an acquaintance rather than a close friend.
2. He expected this service to be provided for free, entirely ignoring the fact that I write resumes as part of my job, which is obviously paid work.
3. I wasn't asked to do him a favor in any way. He even said outright that he would forward his resume to me.
4. He didn't consider my timetable when he offered me less than 24 hours to finish this task.

I was so struck with guilt despite everything that I answered, "Sure, I'll see what I can do." Immediately after giving him my email address, I felt regret. I had to adjust my work schedule to accommodate his request, which put more pressure on me to meet my deadlines.

His resume had become my duty, so I grudgingly looked at it in the middle of my shift and realized how much work it would entail. I therefore wanted to deliver a flawless service. It cost me a lot more time than I would have typically needed because of this, and I had to work late to make up for my own duties once I had finished revising his entire résumé.

The whole experience was pretty miserable, but it could have been avoided if I had learned how to handle requests for services like this.

How do you deal with the question, "Can you do me a favor?"

The question “could you do me a favor” is very common, and we live with it both inside and outside the workplace. Saying “yes” all the time, especially when we don’t want to, will cause an undue amount of stress and frustration, and most importantly, this stress can affect our overall health.

It's hard to say no, but although you may fear being aggressive or rude, refusal is a healthy part of our professional lives. So here are some approaches to dealing with the question, "Can you do me a favor?"

1. Change your view of rejection

When people ask you a favor, remember that they are asking a question in which they give you the choice of answering “yes” or “no.” The choice is yours, and although the word "no" has acquired a negative meaning, creating a sense of guilt, we have to remember that we are not bad people because we rejected; rather, we simply made the decision.

2. Think about the request before answering

If someone asks for a favor, try not to respond immediately while you are going through countless emotions. If you need 24 hours to explain how you feel about the request before providing an answer, you can simply say, "I'll respond to your request tomorrow."

3. Set boundaries

We all know the importance of setting boundaries in our lives, but we often underestimate the consequences of not doing so. Time is your most valuable resource. It is limited and you cannot do everything all at once. So you must be selective in using your time so that you tackle tasks that will help you advance in your professional and personal lives.

By constantly saying "yes," you reduce the amount of time you have to spend on things that really benefit you. Without limits, you'll end up filling up your schedule and not leaving any time for important things like self-care. Say “no” to the things that get in the way of your time for yourself, and if people don't respect those limits, they don't respect you.

4. Work on your own terms

If the service is something you don't mind doing, but not exactly in the way that was asked of you, state your terms. When I was asked to review a resume in less than 24 hours, knowing that I had a lot of tasks in my schedule, I had to respond with the following: “I can help you with your resume, but I will need more time to do this, so can you give me more time?” Although this is not a refusal, it makes the request more appropriate.

5. Offer an alternative solution

When we say “no” to people, guilt often stems from the fact that you know the person really needs help and would have difficulty without your help. Even though you reject their request, you can guide them in the right direction by offering an alternative solution. For example, the request might be, “Can you review my resume?" I reply, "Unfortunately, I won't be able to, but here's a great website with really useful resume writing tips that I think you'll find useful."

6. Explain the reasons for refusal

Some people simply cannot accept rejection. They ask for a reason for your refusal. If you are comfortable and confident about the reason for your refusal, then share your reasons with them. This will make it easier for them to accept the rejection as well as get rid of the feeling of guilt.

For example, if the request is, “Can you review my resume?” The appropriate response will be, "Unfortunately, I'm not able to; I have some projects with very strict deadlines, and I won't have time to review your resume with all the work I have to do."

In conclusion

Effective time and relationship management involves managing expectations and prioritizing your tasks. The next time someone asks you for a favor, respect your work and turn it down when necessary.