When was the last time you said no to someone asking you to volunteer, participate, or come to a meeting that has nothing to do with your direct responsibilities?
We all do it, and I would love to share with you it is OK to say NO! Saying no gives you the freedom to be and become the person you are meant to be. It gives you veto power to:
“Do not ask for permission ~ state your purpose and move forward.” T Worley
The more successful you are the more others “want” or “take” from you. This usually means sitting on boards, committee’s, and endless volunteer hours. Karin Hurt outlines volunteering and these are wonderful questions to ask yourself as you move into volunteering giving you the power to not ask permission to say no if the opportunity does not fit into your purpose; and in turn gives others the power to say no if it does not fit within their purpose.
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Karin Hurt’s blog Let’s Grow Leader’s post regarding volunteers hits home on the power to state our purpose and move forward. Note, the below is a directly quoted from Karin’s blog. Karin has wonderful explanation behind all seven so I encourage you to visit her blog for “the rest of the story.”
When people lead, they connect more deeply to your mission and to one another. Connection feels good. They stay. Make volunteer leadership easier and more accessible.
1. Create bite size roles
2. Inventory talents and skills
3. Limit terms
4. Include young people and give them power
5. Empower possibility
6. Communicate opportunities
7. Allow failure
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Another resource of NO is my dear friend Debi Markland’s, How to Perfect the Art of Saying No.
Challenge: Take a NO inventory:
- When was the last time you gave yourself permission to say NO?
- When was the last time you cut-away activities no-longer in alignment with your purpose?
Look UP and OUT my Friends!
Hurt, Karin. (2014). How to Recruit Volunteers in Your Organization
Markland, Debi (2014). How to Perfect Art of Saying No. Amazon
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