When someone asks you to do something, how often do you just say, “Sure thing.” Or “Yes”. We frequently say yes to a lot of things we don’t really want to do, which leaves us feeling overburdened by our to-do list days later. Despite the fact that you agreed to your commitments in the first place, you eventually grow dissatisfied by them. If something is necessary, it is worth asking.
Many of them are not, thus saying “No” will be more effective than any amount of work even the most productive person can muster. Many times, we comply with requests out of deference to others and a desire to avoid coming out as obnoxious, conceited, or useless. You have to think about saying no a lot. Saying no to people you will come into contact with again in the future, such your fellow students, your partners, your parents, your grandparents, and your relatives and friends may be difficult. Why do you say “Yes” when there are such clear advantages to saying “No”? It can be particularly tough to say no to these folks since we care about them and want to help them. (Not to mention, we often need their help too!) Working together with others is an essential part of life. The prospect of putting the relationship through stress surpasses the time and effort investment.
“Every time we say yes to a request, we are also saying No to whatever else we may do with the time,” as described by economist Tim Harford. When you commit to something, you have already made your plans for how you will use that period of time in the future. Saying “No” will therefore enable you to save time in the future. You will lose time in the future by saying yes. The word “no” is a time credit. You can continue to use the rest of your time however you like. Is a form of time debt, yes. You will eventually have to fulfil your obligation. No is a decision. Yes, is a responsibility. For this reason, it can be helpful to be gracious in your response. Do whatever favors you can, and when you have to say no, be kind and direct.
Saying no is the ultimate productivity trick. This is not to argue that you should never go to another meeting or fulfil other obligations, but the reality is that many meetings are arranged that are unnecessary. We often overcommit to causes that do not significantly better or support those around us and, most definitely, do not enhance our own lives. At any point of your work, learning to say no is crucial because it preserves your time, which is your most valuable resource. “If you don’t guard your time, they will steal it from you,” said investor Pedro Sorrentino. Saying no to anything that isn’t helping you reach your objectives is necessary. You must refuse distractions. Over time, you must improve your “No’s.” That is not to suggest that you will never say yes. Simply said, it implies you always say no and only ever say yes when it makes sense.
In conclusion, more time and energy is lost doing things that are pointless than is lost doing things ineffectively. If so, then the ability to eliminate is more beneficial than the ability to optimize. “There is nothing so pointless as doing efficiently what should not be done at all,” (Peter Drucker).
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