Another Zoom call? By defaulting to yes, you’ll end up deprioritizing important work and focusing on low-impact tasks instead. Here’s how to back out in seconds with grace.
It’s tempting to say yes to every work request that comes your way and that instinct makes sense. You might feel empathy for a coworker who needs your help.
You might want to please the people paying your salary. Or you might just come across a project that sounds way more fun than what you’re currently working on.
But by defaulting to yes, you’ll end up deprioritizing important work and focusing on low-impact tasks instead. Or if you end up doing your priority work and the new tasks, you’ll just plain burn out.
So before agreeing to do something, you need to consider your own priorities and the opportunity cost of saying yes.
Easier said than done, of course. Here are some tips on how to say ‘No’
