Stop Being a Yes Person

learn to say no to your boss...

Nowadays, we spend more time at work than we do with our own families. It is important to build a solid foundation with your co-workers and your management team. You want to be sure to set your boundaries from the beginning. A healthy work environment is beneficial for you. Just like you leave your problems at the door upon arrival, the same rule applies when it comes to taking your work problems home!

Work can be one of the leading causes of stress, anxiety, and depression. I want to save your life by implementing one very important ideology to help avoid resentment at work. It is simple, just say no more often! Being a yes person at work is definitely not the way to go, yet so many of us struggle with saying no to our employers.

Be a #BOSSBABE, not Corporate America’s Puppet

As a society, we have been trained to be obedient in the workforce environment. Every day we step into the office, we are expected to be professional and lead by example. We not only represent ourselves, but we also represent the company we work for. With this in mind, wouldn’t you want to show your boss that you are more than capable of being your own boss?

#Bossbabes know how to utilize their time effectively and know how to balance the IMPORTANT things in life. In order to be your own boss while still being a regular employee, you have to know when and how to say no to your boss. If you find yourself constantly doing everything for your boss because you think that will set you apart from the rest of your team, think again. This is the worst thing you could possibly do to gain respect from your boss.

Consider the following questions:

1. When was the last time you said no to your boss when asked to tackle an additional project?

2. When was the last time you turned down a promotion because it did not meet your expectations?

3. Have you compared your job description to the workload you actually have? If so, does your salary represent your workload?

4. When your fellow co-workers call out of work, do you sacrifice your day off to help the company?

First of all, it is important to be your own #Bossbabe and say no if you feel like the task at hand will add an extra load to your duties. We love to think we can do it all, but sometimes having a shorter to-do list will benefit us by producing quality work! Your bosses will notice your efforts and you will stand out because you know how to make good use of your time. Being able to master this skill will enable your boss to loosen his/her reigns and micromanage your work far less!

Promotions are not always a good thing. Before accepting a promotion you will want to reach out to the previous associates that held that position. Be sure to ask the right questions and consider if this is a position that will benefit you. You might also want to consider the pay; many employers will start the bid at a low amount. This is where your negotiation skills come in handy, do not accept the position if you know the pay is not enough. Do be respectful and understanding of the opportunity that has been offered to you. Make sure to be honest with yourself, and your employer if the job description does not exemplify your needs.

Callouts and Mental Health Days:

If you are someone who highly values your job this ideology will be difficult to comprehend. I myself am still learning to say no when it comes to callouts and mental health days. I am well aware of just how difficult it can be to find someone to cover a shift; but remember, your job is not worth your mental health!

Many employers will say they believe in a healthy work/life balance. You can test your employers by calling out to see if they truly mean that. Just kidding, you should be responsible and request days off far in advance so that your coworkers do not hate you the day you decide to call out. There will be times when you simply just need a mental health day, those are the days that come without warning and I highly suggest that you take them!

There is such a thing as being overworked, especially when it comes to the food and entertainment industry. It is important to learn to say no to your employers on days where you need to put your mental health first. It can be extremely annoying for the business but at the end of the day, your state of mind is more important. Think of it this way, you are saving the business from unhappy customers and bad yelp reviews. It is a win-win for all!

Keep this in mind the next time you need to say No:

1. Be honest

2. Give alternative solutions

3. Be appreciative

4. Create boundaries