A well-crafted No

Writing a considered decline to an invitation is probably one of the most effective uses of your time. We don’t consciously practice saying No much, which means we’re prone to causing offense with a hurried no, or worse, agreeing to something we don’t want to with a weak yes.

The keys to a well-crafted No are conveying empathy and producing value for the recipient. Here are some thoughts you may trial in your future declines:

Open with gratitude for receiving the invite. Be sure to make it personal, but not over-the-top. It’s always helpful to appreciate that you are desired in some way, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Frame the context for your inability to accept. Be sure to make it honest, but not too descriptive. You may either be prioritising something else, or have made a conscious decision to not participate in invitations of this nature. Framing also helps the recipient understand that you’re likely to decline future invitations.
End by providing value where you can. You may be able to suggest someone else, or offer alternate ways you’d be happy to engage. Just be sure to reinforce the value you gain from the connection and ensure the recipient is appreciated.

Taken together, this thoughtful consideration may take you around 10 minutes to craft. Be sure to keep your response succinct, as most of your time should be given to thinking about what to say.

And one final thought – it’s much easier to write a well-crafted No than to speak it. If you feel pressured to respond in the moment when asked, there’s no harm in saying you will think about it and get back to them with a message.

Life Coaching For Your 20’s and 30’s
Our team would love to hear from you! Simply complete the Contact Form on our website.

Join Our Mailing List

We post insights to help you on your journey EVERY DAY! Join our mailing list for daily guidance on all things career, health, relationships and life!

Who matters more for your job?

Yesterday’s Opinion Dominion asked: Who matters more for your job — your Manager or your CEO? 89% said Manager 11% said CEO This question came

Is Friday the BEST DAY of the work week?

Friday’s Opinion Dominion was a dead heat: Is Friday the best day of the work week? 50/50. I was on the NO side. I like

Is working a SIDE HUSTLE a sign of AMBITION or DISTRACTION?

Yesterday’s Opinion Dominion was: Is working a side hustle a sign of ambition or distraction? And for the first time… Everyone said AMBITION! This really

Here's why we love what we do

Ben and Bec have taken me through the QLA Framework over the past 12 months. They have a unique understanding of what twenty-somethings are seeking - clarity, purpose and systems to achieve what they want in life (to name a few). It is with sobering gratitude that I can reflect on the past year and say wholeheartedly that I've managed to gain all of the above with QLA’s help.

The Quarter Life Framework is so simple, yet so powerful. I tend to overcomplicate things and burden myself with a lot of different problems to make sure everything is working. The Framework allowed me to simply get clear on what I actually wanted. A lot of the things that were stressing me and bothering me fell away when I realised they didn't really matter or they didn’t affect what I was aiming for. It allowed me to be more laser-focused on the actions that would help me get to where I want to.

Initially, my goals for the next few years were fuelled by fear of running out of time, but through regular discussions with QLA surrounding my life plan, goals, passions and ideal lifestyle, I was able to pursue the right projects with purpose and clarity. QLA took away a lot of the pressure and stress I was feeling, and helped me understand if my interests were just whims or if they were the right paths for me to take.

Quarter Life Academy not only enabled me to gain clarity in what I want for myself now and in the future, but also empowered me and grounded me with a confidence that I can achieve all I set out to do. Ben not only provides his insights and thought provoking questions, but he is supportive and encouraging the whole way through. The structure was comprehensive and thorough and I felt inspired to lead the career journey with Ben's caring and considered guidance. For anyone who wishes to elevate their lives beyond where they’re currently at, I recommend the Quarter Life Academy wholeheartedly.

Working with QLA has enlightened the extent to which fear dominates me. Once I understood this, I’ve more easily considered and grown excited by the prospect of success, rather than focussing on the potential failure which my mind had decided would most definitely eventuate.

By following the steps outlined in the Quarter Life Framework, and with Ben’s help to consistently challenge my own thinking, I was able to map out what I really wanted my professional life to look like in the foreseeable future. For anyone who wants to take their career and life to the next level, I highly recommend Quarter Life Academy!