"A NO is a better way ........ "

Articulating Priorities:Saying “Yes” and Saying “No” : 

Articulating Priorities:Saying “Yes” and Saying “No” Indraneil Adhikari

GETTING to “No” : 

GETTING to “No”

Importance of saying “No”Deciding to say “No” : 

Importance of saying “No”Deciding to say “No” Strategies for saying “No”

Importance of saying “No” : 

Importance of saying “No” Not enough time to do everything Protects time to spend on what matters: Yourself – pursuits you really care about Your family and friends Helps to focus / reassess our efforts Prevents burn-out; feeling overwhelmed

Deciding to say “Yes” or “No”Assessment of theValue / Benefit of theactivityvsthe cost : 

Deciding to say “Yes” or “No”Assessment of theValue / Benefit of theactivityvsthe cost

Benefit / Cost Assessment : 

Benefit / Cost Assessment Get the data you need: What is the activity / job description? What is the time commitment? What is the travel commitment? Who else is involved in the activity? What is the length of commitment? Is there funding (Not Money(I’m talking about TIME)?

Value / Benefit Assessment : 

Value / Benefit Assessment Personal Interpersonal Career Political

Value / Benefit Assessment : 

Value / Benefit Assessment Personal What is my level of interest ? Does this fit with one of my passions / priorities or goals? How does this fit with my ethics? Is this topic / activity important to me? Am I the only one who can do this? Interpersonal Career Political

Value / Benefit Assessment : 

Value / Benefit Assessment Personal Interpersonal- is the ask from or for: Family member? Friend ? Community ? volunteer / service organization religious group Career Political

Value / Benefit Assessment : 

Value / Benefit Assessment Personal Interpersonal Career Could this develop into a grant or publication? Is this a stepping stone to another activity that you want to do? Contribute to your regional / national / international reputation? Is this important for someone at my stage of career development? Political

Value / Benefit Assessment : 

Value / Benefit Assessment Personal Interpersonal Career Political – is this an opportunity? Good citizen – dept, division, organization Networking / building relationships Receive attention / or be noticed? Does my boss approve or want this? Is this something I should do?

Cost of “yes” or “no” : 

Cost of “yes” or “no” Time Conflict Travel Guilt

Cost of “yes” or “no” : 

Cost of “yes” or “no” Time How much time will it take? When / how often will it occur? Over what time period? Does something else need to be dropped? Conflict Travel Guilt

Cost of “yes” or “no” : 

Cost of “yes” or “no” Time Conflict Interfere with other obligations? Family time Other meetings, commitments Competing with others who want to do this? Topic or content Travel Guilt

Cost of “yes” or “no” : 

Cost of “yes” or “no” Time Conflict Travel Local / out of town? How often? When? Guilt

Cost of “no” : 

Cost of “no” Time Conflict Travel Guilt Thorough assessment of the benefits and costs will help mitigate the guilt of saying “No”

Crafting a “No” response : 

Crafting a “No” response Don’t feel that you have to respond on the spot Take time to think about your response Be sure you have all the details about the activity that you need to make an informed decision. Don’t have to give reasons – but think them through and even write them down so that you feel confident of your decision.

Variety of “No” responses : 

Variety of “No” responses Not at this time, but later ….. Participate in a limited or different capacity? Not a good fit; or can not give the time and attention this deserves….. Have ready the names of other people – this may actually help their career / visibility