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Yesterday's @onepeloton ride focused on "Strategic use of the word NO, to unlock your HELL YES!" ( 
Tunde!) & got me thinking about what makes it hard to say NO, particularly for early career folx. My thoughts on what makes it hard to say no and tips for saying it anyway, a 
Tunde!) & got me thinking about what makes it hard to say NO, particularly for early career folx. My thoughts on what makes it hard to say no and tips for saying it anyway, a
1)Scarcity mindset: "I can't say no, this opportunity might never come again."
Tip: More opportunities will come, even more so if you pace yourself to prevent burnout.Practice saying NO to avoid overcommitment & trust that strategic NOs will sustain you for a long career of YES!
Tip: More opportunities will come, even more so if you pace yourself to prevent burnout.Practice saying NO to avoid overcommitment & trust that strategic NOs will sustain you for a long career of YES!
2) Imposter Syndrome: "l don't belong here. I need to hustle to measure up. I have to say yes, bc I'm lucky anyone is asking."
Tip: Work to shift your inner narrative. You belong. You are enough. As your confidence increases, it'll be easier to gauge how much work is reasonable.
Tip: Work to shift your inner narrative. You belong. You are enough. As your confidence increases, it'll be easier to gauge how much work is reasonable.
3) Unclear Expectations: "If someone senior to me asks me if I can do something, I better say yes."
Tip:This one is tricky, bc every job comes w/ expectations (clearly stated and quietly assumed) that require a YES. A trusted mentor who understands your role can help you clarify.
Tip:This one is tricky, bc every job comes w/ expectations (clearly stated and quietly assumed) that require a YES. A trusted mentor who understands your role can help you clarify.
4) Concerns about feelings: "I don't want to let someone down/make someone feel bad/disappoint others."
Tip: Be kind, be gracious, be timely with your response. Offer alternatives if you've got someone in mind (lift others up). You are not responsible for other people's feelings.
Tip: Be kind, be gracious, be timely with your response. Offer alternatives if you've got someone in mind (lift others up). You are not responsible for other people's feelings.
5) Lack of a clear mission: Without clear goals, it's hard to gauge the pros/cons of various opportunities.
Tip: Clarify your long term goals. Create a semester- and a 5 year plan around those goals. Consider how each opportunity fits (or doesn't fit) and respond accordingly.
Tip: Clarify your long term goals. Create a semester- and a 5 year plan around those goals. Consider how each opportunity fits (or doesn't fit) and respond accordingly.
6) Changing habits is hard: "Saying yes feels easier & more comfortable, than saying no."
Tip: Let "No" be your default response, wait for a reason for it to be "Yes". Remind yourself that saying "No" strategically can open up time and energy for a "Yes" later on. Practice it.
Tip: Let "No" be your default response, wait for a reason for it to be "Yes". Remind yourself that saying "No" strategically can open up time and energy for a "Yes" later on. Practice it.
What else makes it hard to say "No"? What tips and tricks have helped you navigate this? #AcademicTwitter #AcademicMentalHealth #AcademicChatter
