{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Real Reason You Cannot Say No","description":"Busy, overwhelmed \u201cYeser\u2019s\u201d listen up. Yes, there\u2019s a reason we keep getting asked to take on more\u2014we say \u201cYes,\u201d and we are the one\u2019s who will make sure the job gets done, even if our other projects suffer and we wind up sick from exhaustion.   Why do we keep getting picked to do the project? Because we are driven doers. We\u2019ll run through fire to honor our word, and we\u2019re the first to admit it. In fact, it\u2019s a badge of honor we wear. In our quest to get it all in, we say, \u201cYes!\u201d It\u2019s an honorable and awesome quality, and I love us for it!   The problem comes in when our badge of honor is not tempered with focus and freedom\u2026 to say \u201cno.\u201d When our inability to say \u201cno,\u201d or \u201cnot now,\u201d leads to illness, exhaustion, anxiety, sleepless nights, or, worse yet, passing out at an event where we\u2019re in charge (yes, I witnessed this happen just a couple of weeks ago), it\u2019s time to investigate the story we tell ourselves that leads to saying \u201cYes\u201d at every chance.   Fear\u2014of\u2026   \u2026 missing out, \u2026 letting people down, \u2026 being seen as weak (admitting I can\u2019t handle it, which leads to cockiness), \u2026 an imperfect result that anyone, but you, would create, \u2026 losing opportunities, and \u2026 disappointing others   \u2014are the biggest culprits of biting off more than we can chew, and they wind up robbing us of the chance to do our best work. Can you imagine the results we could create if we\u2019d simply focus our \u201cYeses\u201d on the right projects, and become a steward of opportunity for additional projects?   Instead of spending every moment of our days rushing\u2014to work, through emails, the first pot of coffee, every meeting\u2014what if we could enjoy our work, and wind up energized at the end of the day?   The following are three steps that have helped me learn to identify and enjoy my right \u201cyeses\u201d:   Step One: Clarity of focus. Start by giving yourself 10 minutes (preferably an hour) to think about the results you\u2019re most committed to (i.e. customer satisfaction on project X, helping my team advance, gaining opportunities to share my message from the platform). If you serve on multiple boards, run a business, and have a family, think about the most important outcome for each area. What are you striving to accomplish, and why does it matter to you? Here\u2019s a great resource for mapping your career.   While saying no to big projects may not be your area of struggle, consider investigating your greatest time sinks. Eager to strengthen relationships, I typically spend a great deal of time in one-on-one\u2019s, even if I\u2019m unsure of the purpose behind the meeting. A quick 15-20 minute phone conversation has become my new saving grace to bringing focus and clarity to these meetings.    Step Two: Forty-eight hour rule. When you get that ego-boosting request to take on another project, simply say, \u201cThank you for thinking of me\u2014I love being a part of great projects. Do you mind giving me until the end of the day tomorrow to give you a decision on this? With so many balls in the air right now, I want to make sure I can devote the time and energy to this project.\u201d   Step Three: Help them find someone. It is an honor to be asked to take on projects, and if your plate is full, you get to steward opportunity\u2014the greatest leadership quality of all. Taking time to learn about the goals and future aspirations of the folks around you will give you the information you need to know who would appreciate the exposure and opportunity. Note, I did not say, \u201cFind someone who can do the job as well as you.\u201d That thinking will trap you into doing the work yourself. Instead, focus on connecting the ones who want opportunity with those who need the help.   Identifying the direction you want to take your career, and recognizing the greater contribution you want to make, is the hardest part. But, once you\u2019ve got it (and it\u2019s always evolving, so consider coming back to step one at least once a quarter), doing your best work, and stewarding opportunity, becomes much easier.   Here\u2019s to Your Greatness,   Misti Burmeister   NEW! Ready to reconnect to the excitement of\u2014   \u2014Your work\/career \u2014Leading your team \u2014Growing your bottom line, along with your people?   Grab your 40 minute Gearing for Greatness session with Misti today\u2014http:\/\/mistiburmeister.com\/GearingForGreatness   \u201cWorking with Misti Burmeister will be one of the best decisions you have ever made as a leader. She helped me integrate new behaviors and thought processes to bolster my overall leadership presence.\u201d \u2013Kevin Frick, Professor and Dean, Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business   ","author_name":"Provoking Your Greatness - Misti Burmeister","author_url":"http:\/\/www.measurablegreatness.com","html":"