More on "Learning to say No" and Stress reduction
Hi. Imagine this. You come to work on Monday after having a great weekend with the family. Once inside your work space, you settle in with a sip of coffee, and a desire to "slide" into the new week ahead of you. Then, around the corner comes a co-worker carrying a stack of stuff in his arms. Before you can say anything, he lays this "stuff on your desk, says the work needs to be done by 4pm and then heads to the coffee machine. To complicate things even more, this guy isn't your boss, but just an equal "co-worker" with a bully complex.
Another few minutes go by and yet another person drops into your cubicle, sits down in the open seat and proceeds to tell you about "their weekend". Before you know it, 15 minutes go by with no relief in sight. Stress, burnout, anger...and all before the first coffee break.
So, what do you do?
The answer is allot simpler than most people think. Just say "NO" to what I call "fly-ins". We have all had them come into our office from time to time...robbing us of our time.
Really learn to say "NO" and do it often. Most of the time, these folks are looking for the easiest pray to drop their work onto...and, if you aren't careful, it could be you.
Be diplomatic but firm and say "No, I can't do this for you". Then, gentle hand it back to them, turn around and call someone. Be nice, but let them know that you are in control of your life...not them.
With practice, this becomes easier and easier. Try it.
The more you practice, the better you get, and the lower your blood pressure, the less the anger, few episodes of stress and a reduction in stress reduction.
Something to think about.
Until next time...
Brad
