{"id":44803,"date":"2016-10-16T08:31:51","date_gmt":"2016-10-16T16:31:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=44803"},"modified":"2017-05-27T08:47:52","modified_gmt":"2017-05-27T16:47:52","slug":"if-youre-saying-yes-to-this-what-are-you-saying-no-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/if-youre-saying-yes-to-this-what-are-you-saying-no-to\/","title":{"rendered":"If You\u2019re Saying Yes To THIS, What Are You Saying No To?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many hardworking people, especially (but certainly not limited to) those in the early stages of their careers, have a hard time saying no when asked to take on new tasks in the workplace. Early on in adult life, we\u2019re conditioned to take on new responsibilities and accept the challenges handed to us at work.<\/p>\n

Say yes now, figure it out later.<\/em><\/p>\n

Although sometimes that works out well (\u201cDo you know how to resize photos in Photoshop?\u201d \u201cOf course!\u201d \u2014 it\u2019s easy enough to Google), oftentimes the effect is opposite to what we\u2019re hoping for. Instead of looking like can-do, efficient workers, we end up behind on other commitments and burnt out trying to accomplish everything we set out to do.<\/p>\n

Some of us have had jobs with crazy, almost impossible deadlines. We\u2019d receive emails at 3:30 a.m. and wonder if our project manager had gone to bed yet or if she was already awake, starting her day. Being busy doesn\u2019t always translate to being productive. Nor healthy. Someone told me recently that their friend missed her grandfather\u2019s funeral because she couldn\u2019t get out of work. Surely this can\u2019t be the way to get ahead in our careers.<\/p>\n

But, of course, we all want to show initiative and develop new skills at work.<\/p>\n

So, what to do? How can we take on more if we\u2019ve already taken on enough?<\/p>\n

The Coaching Habit<\/a> outlines seven great questions that every manager ought to ask in order to effectively lead their employees to success. When it comes to an overwhelmed and overworked employee who is saying yes to yet another thing that\u2019s being thrown at them, why not ask, \u201cIf you\u2019re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?\u201d<\/p>\n

This question is a strategic one, and one that can help both manager and employee prioritize and evaluate.<\/p>\n

As a manager, asking this question of your employee helps you define what exactly<\/em> the employee needs to focus on and how exactly<\/em> you can help them get there. As an employee, answering this question forces you to explain exactly what you need<\/em> from your manager in order to complete the task.<\/p>\n

This question may lead to many more questions, but that\u2019s why it\u2019s so strategic.<\/p>\n

A yes is nothing without the no that gives it boundaries and form.<\/a> Learn to say yes a little more slowly \u2014 ask more questions before committing, no matter what side of the question you\u2019re on.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s tough to say no to coworkers, and even tougher to say no to bosses. Managers, too, want to say yes to helping their employees. Unfortunately, sometimes we really do need to say no, or at least figure out a way to say no to one thing in order to say yes to something else.<\/p>\n

Here are few questions you can ask that will help you say yes a little more slowly:<\/p>\n