If you liked my 10 Tips for Saying No, you’re gonna love this: an ultra-versatile way to deliver a polite, respectful no AND turn a situation that’s definitely bad for you into one that could be good for everybody.
I call it the “No-and-Switch.” It’s great for—
Beginners who aren’t yet comfortable dishing out a hard no
People-pleasers who genuinely want to help without being completely taken advantage of
Overachievers who ought to be compensated better for their ambitious and accommodating nature
Literally anyone who prefers to work and/or play on mutually agreeable terms
Here’s how it works: You say no to something you can’t, shouldn’t, or don’t want to do by offering an alternative that DOES work for you. My, aren’t you a Clever Trevor!
And here’s how to do it.
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8 Scenari-nos Perfect for Busting Out a No-and-Switch
1: A friend you love is always inviting you to join urban scavenger hunts and get in on group-discount seats for the local Triple-A baseball team. You feel bad saying no every time, but you don’t love “activities involving lots of people.”
“Thanks for the invite! I can’t make it, but I’d love to see you sometime soon. It would be great to catch up one-on-one. Lemme know when you’re free?”
2: A co-worker makes a habit of asking you for help on their projects when really they just want you to do the whole thing for them.
“Sorry, no can do. Oh—unless you can take [X] off my plate? I’m down to swap if you are!”
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