What it takes to say “no” without burning bridges

“Start saying No more often” say the gurus of high performance systems.

“And set boundaries without burning bridges.”

Ah! That’s the tricky part!

Most people don’t know how to do that.

Saying “no” without burning bridges requires levels of self confidence, self awareness and clarity of vision that most don’t have.

I certainly didn’t!

And it nearly cost my life!

You can’t see it from this pic craftily taken by Keith Heppell — but…

My hair was missing from the entire left side of my head.

Just covered nicely by my wonderful hairdresser with creative skill!

I was working 18 hr days whilst trying to “say “no” without burning bridges”.

So… how do you say NO without burning bridges?

You really have to be comfortable that even when you are saying NO in the nicest possible way, people might still be upset and they will burn that bridge for you.

That’s it — being comfortable with the uncomfortable that comes with holding boundaries after a lifetime of people pleasing.

It’s hard but worth it!

#sayingno