Article #744

Author: Karen Keller, Ph.D.

Knowing when to say no is a major first step in getting to
yes.

How?

Psychologically, when people hear no their immediate
reaction is how they can turn that ‘no’ into a yes. For instance, when you tell
the car salesperson not today, they begin to figure out ways to make the deal
even sweeter – to your advantage.

Another example is when you say no to your kids having 20
kids for a sleepover. Then they will begin negotiating to the manageable 6
friends.

Yes is tempting because we all have the human desire to be
liked, get approval, and make others happy. Yes really isn’t yes when it’s at
the expense of yourself.

Women find it hard to say no for a few reasons; you want to
help, you don’t want to be rude, you like agreement, you fear conflict, and you
don’t want to burn bridges. Notice these reasons are all thoughts (false
beliefs) not truths.

So, when is the time to say no? There are three specific
conditions on knowing when to say no.

1. It’s Not In Your Best Interest. Some
people expect you to cover for them, basically, lie. You know that lies usually
come back to haunt you. Trust your gut when anyone expects or requests you to
not be forthcoming with the truth. The ‘yes’ part will be when the truth is offered
by everyone, including your friend.

2. Saying Yes Violates Your Boundaries. When
yes goes against your core values and beliefs, no is the better answer.
Whenever you go against your core values is when you have a difficult time
facing yourself in the mirror. Self-disappoint will carry over into low
self-esteem and even lower self-worth.

3. Stress Relief. When you are in
overwhelm, up to your neck in work, or not sleeping due to commitments, is a
time to stop, take an inventory of your time and realize you are headed for a
breakdown. Saying no at this point, taking back a few ‘yeses’ can be a life
saver – both mentally and physically.

It’s about how you say no, rather than the fact you’re
saying no, that affects the outcome. Listen to your priorities and needs.
Saying no is about respecting and valuing your time and space. And when you do
say yes, it’ll be music to your ears!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/when-to-say-no-to-get-to-yes-4910414.html

About the Author

Karen Keller, Ph.D. is an expert in women’s leadership and assertiveness training. She specializes in the skills of influence and persuasion, executive coaching, mentoring, sales techniques, management development training, personal life coaching, and corporate training. Discover the Real POWER for Women now! For other great articles go to http://www.karen-keller.com