DO YOU NEED TO LEARN TO - SAY NO?

It's time to move your needs to the top of the pile

Saying “no” can sometimes feel like you’re letting someone down. Perhaps you wouldn’t want to offend a friend, or you don’t have a “good enough” excuse. Women, in particular, agree to doing things for others in order to appear agreeable and caring but, in doing so, we bury our real feelings and desires. Sound familiar? You need to be careful.

The more difficulty you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout and even depression, according to a University of California study. Take our quiz to see if you need to master the art of saying no – and discover what you can do to take back control.

THE QUIZ
Circle the answer that best applies to you

1. WHICH BEST DESCRIBES HOW YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SAY NO?

A You rarely say no
B Guilty
C That you’ve made a sensible decision
D Empowered

2. YOU’RE INVITED ON A GROUP HOLIDAY THAT’S OUT OF YOUR BUDGET. WHAT DO YOU DO?

A Agree to go without thinking about it
B Say yes, then regret it
C Say that you need to sleep on it
D Decline – you don’t want to overspend

3. HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU’RE ASKED TO DO A FAVOUR FOR OTHER PEOPLE?
A Flattered
B Frantic and concerned about how you’ll find time to fit it in
C You want to check your diary before committing to anything
D That they’re taking advantage of you