Whether you're dealing with co-workers within your own company or considering projects to take on for external clients, knowing how and when to turn down work can be the difference between excelling at what you do and letting those who matter. on you.
We're behaving so hard these days that it's no wonder no has become a lost art. You may be afraid of appearing out of your depth, letting the team down, or losing a recurring client. But often, it's better to graciously turn down a job than to do it poorly or deliver it late.
Related: 8 Things Killing Your Productivity
If you don't know where to draw the line, ask yourself these four questions:
Do I have time?
Will I be able to complete my existing workload to the expected level?
Will rescheduling make this new task feasible?
Am I the best person for the job?
If you answered no to any of these questions, that's probably the answer you should give your colleague or client.
The second part of the challenge is to gracefully decline the job without closing any doors or giving the wrong impression of your work ethic. The key here is transparency:be honest, state your case and offer solutions. Being too busy doesn't have to make you think badly, as long as you can demonstrate that you're in control and that you appreciate the colleague or client making the request.
Related: 10 ways to be a better communicator
For more tips on refusing, check out the infographic below. It's a must read if your workload is getting unmanageable and you're worried that quality is starting to suffer. Getting more work than you can handle can sometimes be a luxury issue. Treat it with maturity and gratitude, and good business should prevail.
SOURCE:BUSINESSBACKER.COM
