Do you say “yes” too much? You probably know what it’s like. A colleague asks for help with a project and you end up doing a lot more than you planned. You agree to volunteer for a local event and then discover that it’s going to take a lot more time than you assumed. Maybe a friend asks you to help them move, especially if you have pick-up truck. Sound familiar?
At the end of each of these endeavors, you may have asked yourself, “Why did I say yes to THAT?” Or you may have said, “Never again!” Then you went ahead and said “yes” again anyway. But here’s the thing, all these incidental “yes’s” are contributing to the decision fatigue that drags you down.
So, why do you say yes when you kind of know that it’s going to cost more time and energy than you had figured? There are several reasons:
- You want to be perceived as a nice person.
- You might feel guilty if you don’t say yes.
- You say “yes” because you want a feeling of belonging or to be part of something larger.
- You’re paying it forward in hopes that others will return the favor.
- You were caught off-guard and said “yes” before taking time to think.
There’s nothing wrong with saying, “yes.” I do it lots of times myself. But I have learned to stop and consider before agreeing impulsively. It is human nature to be accommodating when approached for a favor or participate in an activity. Sometimes saying, “No” can seem almost discourteous. But saying, “No,” may be the best decision you can make. Why? Here are a few reasons:
- You’re not the best person to make the decision or participate.
- Adding this task to your plate will interfere with or impair your effectiveness in accomplishing more critical responsibilities.
- The person asking may be just trying to “turf the task.”
- You’re just plain tired and need a legitimate break. (They’re aloud, you know.)
One of the ways effective decision-makers manage their energy and focus is by avoiding less- than-strategic commitments. “But how do you say no?” you might be asking. Here are three responses that help:
- “Thanks for thinking of me. I just don’t think I’m the best match for this task.”
- “At this point, I can’t really take on another responsibility. I trust you’ll understand.”
- “You might approach _______________. I think she might have more interest.”
Notice this list does not include, “I’d love to help, but . .” This phrase telegraphs you are open to other opportunities. As a result, people will continue to approach you. Remember, you have every right to be selective about the decisions, tasks, and other responsibilities you take on unless, of course, they are assigned by the boss. Even in that case, there are tactics for more effectively managing the situation. But that’s a topic for another post. The next time you’re tempted to say “yes,” take a few seconds to consider the request. Ask a couple of questions about what it would really involve. Perhaps you can say “yes” to part of it. Making this a consistent practice will save time, energy and relieve you of some the decision fatigue that diminishes your productivity and effectiveness.
