“No” might be a small word, but it’s often loaded with complexity. It’s not easy hearing No and at times even harder to say No. If you’re regularly saying Yes when you want to say No, it’s easy for resentment and frustration to build and to end up feeling burnt out. When you don’t have clear and healthy boundaries in place you will find yourself saying Yes more than you know you should, or what’s good for you.
To create healthy boundaries, where you feel OK about saying No in your personal life and at work, it’s essential to learn how to move past people-pleasing habits and to say No with confidence and empathy. While no one likes to hear No we all want to be seen and heard. It’s much easier to hear No when you feel the other person understands where you’re coming from and is trying to be part of the solution.
When you can connect with empathy, a “No” can become a positive experience. Your “No” can become a chance to connect authentically, to find solutions, to think innovatively, to actively live your values and to look after your own health and wellbeing. But it’s not always easy to
