How To Set Boundaries Like A Pro : Master The Art Of Saying No

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"Good Morning Priya", wished Suzanne, her colleague who had just entered the office. She was late to the office as she always was most of the days. "Good Morning Suzanne", she wished back with a smile.
Priya was under a lot of work pressure since morning so she was busy ticking off things on her priority list. "Hey Priya", Suzanne interrupted once again as she was busy working. She didn't have a second to even look up, but she replied nevertheless.

"Yes, Suzanne", she said. "Can, you get this photocopied. 5 copies each, please", Suzanne requested stretching out a stack of papers. Priya now looked up at her. "Suzanne, I am sorry, I am kind of busy at work," she said politely. "It won't take much time, and you are close to the machine. I am already late. If I spend time taking these copies, my work will pile up, please" she asked in a sugar coated tone.

Priya thought for some time and sighed helplessly. "Thank you, you are a sweetheart", said Suzanne. She nodded and took the papers towards the photocopy machine with a heavy heart.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

Once Priya took photocopies for Suzanne, her manager passed by. "Priya, get me a hot cup of coffee please" he said without even eyeing her. She looked at the amount of work she had to do on her list and the time on her watch.

Priya looked around to see if anyone was walking towards the pantry. Just then she saw her colleague Radhika laughing and holding a cup inside with her team. She called out to her, "Radhika can you make an extra cup for Mr. Varma". "Of course not, he asked you to do so, why should I?", she asked back with a mock laughter. Embarrassed and sad, Priya walked towards the kitchen to make him a coffee.

"Priya, aren't you done with this work yet? You have been stalling with this since morning? This is urgent, understand. If you are not keen on working, you can resign and stay at home", shouted her manager. Priya held onto her tears as she listened to him scream at her.

The moment she left his room she ran to the washroom to cry. But midway she met another colleague Aryan. "What happened, are you ok?" he asked. She nodded but then burst into tears. "Hey, it's ok, come let's take a breath of fresh air" he said, patting her shoulder. "I understand why you are crying Priya, I have witnessed everything you do here daily. You do everything for everyone in the office and people take you for granted. But where is that got you? You help everybody but you are here sitting next to me sobbing. And nobody out here cares, they just use you when they want to and you give in by saying yes." He said.

"Then what should I do, it's rude to refuse someone who is asking for help, right?" she asked, sniffing back her tears. "That's the problem Priya, the only solution to your problem is to master the art of saying no" he said. She looked at him with a questioning look.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

The Art Of Saying "No"

Learning to say "no" is key to staying productive and reducing stress. With endless requests coming from all directions whether it be friends, family, colleagues, it's easy to get overwhelmed and take on too much. But when you master the art of politely declining, you make room for what truly matters. Instead of reacting to every request, you start choosing commitments that align with your goals. This focus leads to a healthier, more successful life where you can give your best to what's genuinely important.

How To Master The Art Of Saying 'No'

Know That Your Time Is Valuable

Value your time by knowing your limits and being honest about them. When someone asks for your help but you're already occupied, simply let them know you can't take on more right now. Most people will understand and respect your honesty and commitment to self-care.

Practise Makes Perfect

The more you practise saying "no," the easier it gets. With persistent people, sometimes you just have to keep saying it until they understand. Stick to it, and they'll eventually get the message.

Don't Be Sorry

Priya apologised to Suzanne when she requested her to take copies for her right? Starting with "I'm sorry, but..." may sound polite, but it can make your refusal seem weak. It's important to be firm when saying no and not apologise for it. Remember, you have the right to guard your time and focus on what matters most to you, so there's no need to feel bad about it.

Understand Your Priorities

Even if you have some extra time, it's important to think about how you want to spend it. For instance, if a friend asks you to help move some furniture, but you'd rather catch up on your favourite show, you'll likely say no. On the other hand, if your boss asks you to take on a new project, and career growth is your priority, you might say yes. It's all about knowing what matters most to you and aligning your choices with your long-term goals.

Learn To Say No To Your Boss

Priya felt obliged to say yes to her manager's request to make coffee. Sometimes, we feel pressured to say yes to our boss to avoid looking like we can't handle the workload. But it's actually better to explain that taking on too much hurts your productivity and affects your other tasks. If your boss still insists, ask them to help re-prioritize your responsibilities, letting them know you can only manage so much at once.

Photo Credit: Image is AI-generated

"Good Morning Priya, looking good today" said Suzanne, adding a compliment to her wish the next day. "Thankyou Suzanne" she said, with a warm smile. As she went about her work, she interrupted after a few minutes. "Sorry Priya, would you be kind enough to take those print outs for me" she said pointing towards the printer. "Would you be kind enough to do this work for me then?" Priya asked, showing her a file.

Suzanne gave her a confused look. "It's an urgent requirement. I'll take your print outs if you do this because every second matters to me, Suzanne". Priya replied and continued to do her work, without waiting to see her expression or reaction. After a few seconds, she turned to see Suzanne taking the printouts by herself. Her eyes then moved towards Aryan, who gave her a thumbs up with a broad smile.