Learning to say no improves our productivity, enhances our time management, and empowers others. Yet, we often fall in the trap of saying yes due to expectations of others, obligations we feel from family and friends, fear over losing our job, or feeling the need to be in control. Establishing priorities and offering alternatives helps us to learn to say no, and ultimately gives us greater time to achieve those things in our lives that are the most important.

1. How to
say
https://flic.kr/p/6rv8zK

2. One of the most
powerful words
we can learn to
say is
no
https://flic.kr/p/6JMMkb

3. Why dont we do
this more?
Maybe we:
https://flic.kr/p/4LNsmE

4. Feel obligated
https://flic.kr/p/c93c4N

5. Want the
diversion
https://flic.kr/p/4a4vtB

6. Dont want to let
other people
down
https://flic.kr/p/ooQXc

7. Think we can do
it all
https://flic.kr/p/9Jah8m

8. Whatever the
reason, not
saying no
creates stress
https://flic.kr/p/6yE6wa

9. We overcommit,
and as a
result, we
underperform.
https://flic.kr/p/aqEVsc

10. We become too
busy to do
anything well, and
then feel bad
about ourselves
https://flic.kr/p/cU

11. One of the
healthiest things
we can do is to
say no

12. Click Here
Realizing
that the world
will go on after
we say no is
empowering
https://flic.kr/p/9nhLy9

13. We learn that
we can say no
and our friends
will still love us
https://flic.kr/p/2PvLfg

14. Our need to say
yes is often due to
the expectations
of others
Click Here
https://flic.kr/p/4L

15. Expectations
can be manipulative
even if not meant that
way: It becomes
easier to go along
rather than let
another person
down

16. However, that
only perpetuates
the expectations
cycle and results
in a drop in our
productivity
https://flic.kr/p/5vo6ju

17. We also struggle
with saying no
because there are
things we really
want to do:
https://flic.kr/p/9v6BrB
color changes made to original photo

18. We really want to
be a part of a book
club, spend time
with our friends, or
work to save some
some travel funds
https://flic.kr/p/7AV3c5

19. We have to know
what our goals are
and determine if
these activities will
help us get there
https://flic.kr/p/mhQ2sc

20. It is important to
determine how
much time a
new obligation
will take

21. If no is still
appropriate, be
kind in your no,
and even offer an
alternative that
may help them
more
https://flic.kr/p/rGdVB

22. How to
say
https://flic.kr/p/4q

23. Know your goals
so that you can
quickly determine
if saying no is
appropriate

24. Assign value to
your priorities and
make others
aware, if needed
https://flic.kr/p/P22Ry

25. Make a
schedule based
on your priorities

26. Stay strong and
remember that saying
no can mean that you
are more productive
and not
overcommitting
https://flic.kr/p/jkcwwK