Saying No and jealously gaurding one’s time so that it can be spent on priority matters is a crucial skill that so many of us find hard to use.  I know I’m the type that always wants to make sure everyone is happy, oftentimes to the exclusion of my own happiness and goals.  However, I am getting better.

If you find yourself in the same boat, check out our Productivity Podcast at

http://stephenpsmith.com/blog/2009/06/productivity-and-saying-no/

Click on the link and just press play on the embedded player.   Soon you’ll be carried away to Productiviy by the sounds of our voice.  Or something like that.

For a brief summary of what we discussed, Stephen found these seven great points (which I pared down for space) from Al at 7P Productions at Productivity in Context.  In fact, we liked them so much, they formed the basis of all our discussions.  (If you like them or like our podcast, feel free to leave a comment on the post, it’s truly excellent.) 

1.Up-front honesty: If they know the true reason why you aren’t saying yes, then they can judge
whether to approach you for the next situation.

2.Redirection: Point that person to a direction (another person, another
approach) where they will have a better chance of finding a yes.

3.Letting the other person say no for you: Don’t bear all the burden! If
you know that saying yes in this situation is saying no to a more
important situation, then just present your case and let the other person
say no for you.

4.Not now, but later: The word “maybe” is sometimes a good euphemism for
“no.”

5.Circumstances: Sometimes it’s not a choice at all… Circumstances is
saying no, not you.

6.Be Polite: If none of the above options are viable, then a polite “no”
should do the trick.

7.Be Blunt: This is the tactic against the persistent salesperson. Sometimes
the emphatic “no” is the only “no” they’ll hear.

You can read more about each tactic at Productivity in Context and hear Stephen and I talk more about it on the podcast!

Check it out at StephenPSmith.com.

Talking with Stephen was great.  He knows a great deal about so many different productivity systems and really put me in the hot seat comparing The PAR System™ to other productivity pros and their systems.  Plus, it was a good time!  Have a listen.

Also, on April 1st at 11:00 Central, I’ll be talking The PAR System™ on Chicks Who Chat who have made me an honorary chick!  I’ll post more on that tomorrow!