How to Say No to Your Boss

How do you say no when it "feels" like you're going to disappoint your boss? Here are three tips that will help; Prioritize your schedule and workload You can't do everything. Block off time for critical tasks and ensure clear deadlines on your calendar. This includes personal time. Numbers and dates don't lie. When you can look at your calendar and see that you don't have space, this allows you to say no with confidence. It also allows you to show your workload and responsibilities to your boss, which helps if you get pushback; you can use the opportunity to reprioritize. Practice If you're a person who says yes often, practice saying no in lower-risk situations. Say no to the neighbors when they ask you over, no to the volunteer position at church, or no to a networking event. Saying no gets easier the more you practice. Be clear and kind Say no without beating around the bush. "No, I can't take on that task right now because I'm handling x, y, z. I appreciate you thinking of me." Remember that you're not rejecting a person; you're saying no to a request. Is there more to saying no? Of course, but this is a crash course, not a semester-long podcast. If you need help setting boundaries and saying no, contact me. I'd be happy to help. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here.  Connect with me on  LinkedIn Alex Perry  Instagram @pswithalex