I recall my first job in Lansing – my cubicle was right near the director’s office.  She’d come out and inevitably I’d be the first one asked: can you stay late to help finalize this report? Or can you attend a festival on the other side of the state to help represent us?  And, on and on. Being the newbie, I felt like I needed to say yes.  I wanted to dig in, to be there.  I also wanted to take every opportunity to be trusted and earn respect. I thought by saying yes, all the time, that was my way there.

Then working in a new community, I got the calls: can you help with community dinners? Can you serve on this board? Can you go shopping for the soup kitchen? Being a cradle Catholic (someone born and raised in the faith) I was overwrought with Catholic guilt if I even thought of saying that two letter word.  It’s not a bad word.  It’s not a swear word.  It’s just a word I was so unfamiliar with.

Yes, I had professional success.  But not without costs.  I missed some key family events, big family events, because of work or some volunteer thing. While at the time I thought it was so important to be there, now I can’t even tell you what it was. But that family event or milestone, I can tell you what it was that I missed. One time I ended up so sick and run down I couldn’t get out of bed for a week.  I assure you that an ear infection and strep throat, mixed in with stress, isn’t a barrel of fun. I couldn’t even make it to an interview with a new head of state.  I was run down.  My immune system needed to rebuild.  More importantly, I needed to learn the magic power of the two-letter word I had since long avoided – N. O.   Breathe – I can say it – No.

Learning to say no can be a valuable lesson, both personally and professionally.  This doesn’t mean you can’t say YES.   It means that you must be cognizant that there is a choice. Saying no won’t hurt you professionally and, in fact, it can get you more focused on your career goals. The effective use of no can help propel you to not only a balance in life but greater professional opportunities in the future.  So just do it – say no.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.