Trying to fit in at work while pleasing your superiors and colleagues can be a difficult task. But sometimes being a ‘yes’ person isn’t the way forward; you need to start saying ‘no’ more.
Sure, you’ll keep those around you as happy as possible; but at what cost? Is it really worth taking on every task and putting yourself in uncomfortable positions just to make a few people’s job easier?
With this in mind, here’s a few reasons why you really need to start telling your colleagues ‘no’ more at work.
You’ll Gain Respect from Your Colleagues
If you’ve just started in a new role and you’re eager to impress and fit in, it’s easy to start saying ‘yes’ to every additional task or networking request; when realistically you just can’t cope with it all.
But the last thing you want is to start taking every task to a point that your colleagues see you as an easy target. Especially if they have a job they don’t want to do. This isn’t the reputation you want at work. You want to be respected, and the best way to achieve this is by putting your foot down early on.
So, start saying ‘no’ more. Don’t take every task, but offer help intermittently when your own workload isn’t in the way. That way, you’ll build up a strong relationship with your colleagues. One where you know where each other stands.
Your Workload Won’t Become Too Much
Stress in the workplace can be a hard issue to overcome. This isn’t made any easier when you’re drowning in other people’s work as well as your own. Especially as deadlines creep up.
The implications of stress can be incredibly damaging to your health. Some of the more severe symptoms include panic attacks, exhaustion, burnout, headaches, and sleep problems. As well as affecting your health, it can also affect your ability to create and/or maintain relationships at work; and your productivity may suffer.
Although stress isn’t uncommon, with 65% of US employees citing work as a significant source of stress, it can certainly be avoided if you start saying ‘no’ more often. If your supervisor or colleague is notorious for dumping their work on top of yours, speak up! Start saying ‘no’ and let them know politely that your work is your priority, not theirs.
You’ll Never Be Able to Please Everyone
Sometimes, it’s just impossible to make everyone happy. Throughout your career, you’re bound to upset or annoy somebody, whether intentional or not. It’s a hard fact of life that you can’t please everyone; no matter how big of a people-pleaser you are!
Refusing to say ‘no’ because you’re afraid you’ll upset one of your colleagues or let them down isn’t a good trait to have; especially if you’re hoping to secure a management job in the future. While it’s important to maintain positive relationships at work, it’s also a strong leadership trait to deliver hard news where necessary and not shirk the truth.
Your Productivity Will Rise
If you’re spending less time taking on everybody’s smaller jobs, you’ll have more time to focus on and complete your existing projects. As a result, your productivity will soar. It could even get to a point that you’re able to help your colleagues with their tasks.
By prioritising your own workload and becoming more organized by only taking on additional tasks where necessary and able, this will come across very well with your employer. Organization is a hugely desirable trait that employers look for when considering whether you deserve a promotion.
Your Colleagues’ Productivity May Rise
If your colleagues are passing down tasks because they aren’t comfortable with using a certain skill or piece of software, maybe it’s time they learn for themselves.
If you get better at saying ‘no’, especially when it comes to taking on tasks you simply don’t have time for, this will force your colleagues to start learning how to complete the tasks they routinely pass on themselves.
Learning new skills will undoubtedly raise productivity; and if your colleagues are more productive, then the company will grow in turn.
It’s Time to Say ‘No’ More At Work
While learning to say ‘no’ at work won’t fix all your problems immediately, in the long-term you’ll feel a lot better having put your foot down.
Sure, it may burn a few bridges here or there when you tell your colleague you can’t do a certain task for them. But it won’t destroy the relationship altogether. It will still be salvageable. So if this is your main concern when saying ‘no’, you needn’t worry!
Continuously taking on tasks you simply haven’t got time for will not only give you a reputation around the workplace you don’t want, it can also affect your work-life balance as well. Taking on more tasks than you can handle can result in you working late, getting little rest and suffering from stress.
Prioritize your health and your workload before saying yes to everything. Learning to say ‘no’ can be more beneficial than you think!
