5 ways to use "No" more often

You were taught about asserting yourself at a young age, as being cooperative would make you look like a wimp. After you received your B.A. degree, you learned that if you didn't take your needs seriously, then no one would. You became exhausted and irritable during your second year, such that you became disinterested in attending parties. You were reminded of socialization, so you charged it to experience. But the workplace would be another case.

Spring marked your first year, and your boss was pleased with your performance. And you got along with your colleagues. (Not all of them, but you would get to know the rest of them.) You were inside a subway train, on your way home, when something came to mind. What if you've been getting more tasks than you could handle? It might be possible to turn them down, but you have trepidation. Someone might play office politics. You could be shoved to the wall. And you must change your mind. It won't take long before someone in the office spots you in a bar. You were in a downward spiral of booze. Your might get carried away, but the possible outcome may not be remote from what you imagined.

You learned that a good attitude would keep the workplace in a harmonious state. You also found out (the hard way) that you must create boundaries for yourself. Your mother looked at you in a strange manner when you told her about it. Men would think they are successful if work is good. Women won't think that way unless they looked good, their marriage would be going well, and they were on top of a successful career. You were unable to figure out what she was pointing at until you learned about her younger years. You were unable to comprehend everything, as you still thought about your career. You came up with five possible solutions:

You must come up with an evidence. Your boss asked you to do a certain task, and it happened to fall on a Friday. You might not finish it on time, so you simply told him that you couldn't afford to pass up your Friday night run. This would keep you fit, not to mention the energy that would make you look forward to the next working week. And you tried too hard to compress your abdomen, not wanting to let your colleagues notice your love handles. You also promised yourself a night of beer and tacos. You deserved it.

Be straight to the point. Everyone knows the benefit of exercising, so you might pass up the first one. Keep it straight and simple.

Don't be sorry about it. Not that an ideal employee should act like a robot, but vulnerability might send mixed message to your colleagues.

Keep an eye on your colleagues. You might keep a distance from some of your colleagues, as they may ruin your day. A minute or two of complaining would be enough to affect you. And you don't want to happen it on a Monday.

Plan ahead. If you don't have any options, then plan out the rest of the week. Otherwise, be an early bird the next day.

You seemed pleased at what you thought until you frowned at it. What would happen may be remote from how you thought of it. It was pointless to think further. And you were still far from home. Better keep an upbeat attitude.