Is it fair to say that you say yes far more often than no? If you are like the high performing executives I advise, you are motivated to make a difference. You like to help, and you to be part of the solution. You relish the opportunity to tap into your abundant energy and show your commitment to the business.

If you happen to be customer-focused, you may not feel you can decline client requests—even when those requests are unreasonable, poorly timed, unfair, or ill-conceived. And if you are especially collaborative, you may find it feels unnatural to say no to a peer, manager, or business partner.

For those in the C-Suite, it can be challenging to refuse Board requests even when you disagree. Politics play an unmistakable role at this level, and it can be tough to say no.

Still, there are times when really you must decline or defer the demands that come at you. After all, there are only so many hours in a day, so many days each week. Every time you say yes, you reduce time for other activities, many of which are both urgent and important.

Here’s what I tell my clients. By strategically saying no, you free up time to:

• Identify new ways to help your customers
• Accelerate results
• Meet proactively with key stakeholders
• Bring your team together to build relationships, improve communication, enhance collaboration, and align around priorities
• Relax and recharge (take a walk, eat your lunch)
• Identify a more strategic approach
• Diffuse a situation before it becomes a crisis
• Hone your vision
• Attend or speak at an industry
• Mentor a new employee
• Get home a little earlier (have dinner with family, attend your child’s sporting event, musical performance, or teacher conference)
• Build your brand as a proactive leader who thoughtfully applies time and energy

Bottom line: before you reflexively agree to a request or dive into an activity, ask yourself,

• Is this activity best accomplished by me personally or can/should it go to someone else?
• Should I (we) do it now, later, or not at all?

Use this framework to make the best decisions about where and how to spend your time… and be sure to start saying NO!

For more information on saying no, take a look in my book: Slow Down to Speed Up^®: Lead, Succeed, and Thrive in a 24/7 World

“Liz is very skilled and experienced at listening and communicating in a manner which builds trust and fosters openness. Ultimately, her work was instrumental in assessing the dynamics, strengths and development needs of the entire leadership team and company culture.” – John Broderick, Operating Partner, Argosy Private Equity

Slow Down to Speed Up^®: Lead, Succeed, and Thrive in a 24/7 World is a powerful new resource for leaders from the C-Suite to the front line. Filled with innovative new approaches, pragmatic tools, and real-life success stories, this book tackles the universal challenge of achieving better, faster, more sustainable results in a world of non-stop demands and constant connectivity. Get your copy today.