Learn to say ‘No’. The truth behind one of the greatest life skills.

Learn to say ‘No’. The truth behind one of the greatest life skills.

People pleasers listen up! Sometimes it’s OK to be selfish in life. Putting yourself first is an important part of self-care and life skill you need to develop and grow as a person. Learning how to say no in a polite way is going to help you focus on your mental and physical health and wellbeing – for a change.

Being hard-working might feel like a calling, but when you start to take on too many responsibilities and commitments, stress and anxiety will quickly take over. Learning when and how to say no will help you lead a positive and stress-free life.

When & Why It’s OK To Be Selfish

Looking out for number one all the time sums up being selfish, but there are times in life when putting yourself first is a must. Giving up things that bring you joy or will help reduce your stress levels is going to make you, co-workers and those around you miserable.

Did you ever experience a similar scenario?

You’re in the office and your boss asks you to work over the weekend. You already have plans to meet your partner and spend some quality time together. Feeling pressured, you agree to give up your free time. You cancel your plans with your loved one, who is frustrating to you and your companion. Now being in a bad mood, you are not as professional and focused which is is affecting your deliverables. Once is never but if situations like this keep on reoccurring this could impact not only your career but your relationship too. To avoid these kind of situations in the future, you should learn how to say no in a professional and polite way.

In order to say “no” effectively you need to be in touch with what’s important to you – knowing your priorities in life. Then it’s much easier to say no, because you are clear on what you want and need instead.

The Power Of Saying No

Knowing how to say no is an important life skill to master. So, here are a couple of helpful technicques to communicate your feelings.

SIMPLE

– A simple “No, but thanks for asking/thinking of me.”

SOMETHING ELSE

– A simple “I’m already doing __ / have a dentist appointment”

BUY YOURSELF TIME (when unsure how you feel or need time to prepare a response)

– I’m away from my desk right now, can I let you know once I have my diary in front of me?”

– I’m just in the middle of something/a tight deadline. Can I get back to you tomorrow/ next week?

DEFFERRAL

– “I’m crazy busy this week/ month. Can it wait until next week/month?”

When “no” is the right answer for you, say it pleasantly, assertively and with conviction. If it leaves you feeling strong and good in yourself (even if there is some guilt) then you’ve made the right choice for you!

Related posts

Stuck in Your Career? Address Childhood Traumas With Life Coaching!

Introduction In today’s high-pressure corporate environment, your career is more than just a list of qualifications. Professional success is intricately linked with emotional well-being, which can often be traced back to formative experiences in our childhood. Believe it or not, ‘small’ childhood traumas can be pivotal in shaping your adult professional life. As a bio-energetic mental fitness life coach with a holistic approach, I’ve seen firsthand how addressing these hidden issues with life coaching can unlock avenues for career growth and personal happiness. Understanding ‘Small’ Childhood Traumas We all carry emotional baggage from our early years. These traumas may not necessarily be glaring instances of neglect or abuse. Even seemingly ‘small’ traumas—like emotional neglect, persistent teasing, or overwhelming parental expectations—can profoundly impact our mental health and, by extension, our career performance. How ‘Small’ Childhood Traumas Affect Your Career 1. Leadership Skills Poor self-esteem stemming from childhood experiences could manifest as hesitancy in leadership roles. Leadership isn’t about domineering control but inspiring trust and collaboration. A compromised sense of self can cripple these essential leadership qualities. 2. Decision-Making The echoes of childhood often linger in our adult decision-making. Career coaching can help spotlight these issues, allowing you to navigate professional choices with increased clarity and balanced judgment. 3. Team Relationships Forming effective teams requires trust, something that may be scarce if you’ve faced ‘small’ childhood traumas like emotional neglect. These past experiences could create invisible barriers to effective communication and collaboration. 4. Performance Anxiety This is a widespread issue in high-stakes

Read More
Unlocking Your Potential - The Power of Mental Fitness

Unlocking Your Potential: The Power of Mental Fitness

Unlock your potential with Bettina Koster, Mental Fitness Coach in Dubai. Through holistic coaching, NLP, and energy work, Blooming Key helps professionals and leaders reduce stress, prevent burnout, and achieve clarity, balance, and fulfillment in life and work.

Read More
Couple receiving relationship coaching to heal and reconnect

Feeling Stuck? Here’s How to Get Back in Balance

Dubai moves fast. Life is exciting here. However, it can also be exhausting. Whether you’re building a career, raising kids, navigating a relationship, or leading a team, the pressure often builds up. At some point, most of us feel stuck, stressed, or simply off-track. That’s when real support makes the difference. Not just someone who listens, but someone who helps you shift. In this blog, I’ll explain how relationship coaching for couples can help you bring more calm, clarity, and confidence back into your life. Let’s explore how a health & wellbeing coach can help you reconnect with yourself and feel stronger again. Why Choose Relationship Coaching for Couples in Dubai? Even the most loving relationships face challenges. Miscommunication, stress, or parenting demands can create distance. As a result, many couples search for marriage counseling in Dubai to get support. It’s a wonderful option—and so is relationship coaching for couples. Both approaches can help you reconnect, improve communication, and build a deeper emotional bond. According to the International Coaching Federation, coaching empowers individuals and couples to create sustainable change and stronger relationships. So, what’s the difference? Marriage counseling is often used when there’s a clinical diagnosis or deeper therapeutic healing is required, usually guided by a licensed therapist. In contrast, relationship coaching for couples is more focused on the present and the future. It’s practical, empowering, and action-oriented. Instead of staying stuck in old patterns, you learn how to shift triggers and build a healthier connection together. My coaching creates

Read More