Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/229155
Know&Tell Tips to Share organizing the Science Fair because she enjoys these things — making it easier to turn down other requests. Sometimes it's best to delay your the time to do what you can. I say yes answer. If asked without warning by all the time. I think I can save the world your principal to serve on a committee, sometimes, so I help kids after school, for example, it's best to listen and get sponsor the multicultural club, and all the facts. For example, will you be help in an after-school program called compensated, how much prep time is Kudos that provides supervision and expected, and when will meetings be homework help. It's for the kids, so I'm held and where? Explain that you need a yes man. I help everybody else. But a day or two to consider it. Then talk when it comes to me, I'm not a very to other staff about the work involved. good advocate. There are times when If it doesn't appeal to you, ask about Instead of I should say no, but I don't." other committees or projects that need feeling bad, feel good Of course, there are times when you volunteers. You can decline the task that you have more should unequivocally say yes. you've been asked to do and volunteer "You should say yes when you for another, says Remington. time to devote agree with your whole heart that it Of course, there are times when you to what you want to will be an important and enjoyable must say no to something without saydo, not what someone task and see the benefits of saying ing yes to something else. Say it simply, yes, so you approach it with all your plainly and tactfully. Provide a reason, else expects energy," says Remington. such as lack of interest, lack of time or you to do. Before saying no, make sure you lack of expertise. Stand your ground JIM REMINGTON are fulfilling your contract obligations, firmly. "I must bow out" and "I regret advises White, Ravenswood Teachers that I must decline" are good phrases. Association co-vice president. When Cornejo has no problem telling in doubt, check with chapter leaders, administrators no because she has "too she suggests. Some things, such as professional development workshops much on her plate." She believes when educators say no that take place during the workday, may be mandatory, while events that more often, expectations become more reasonable, and take place after school and during the weekends may be optional. Admin"we can do our jobs to the best of our abilities." istrators, who don't want to spend money hiring subs, may act as though "I am simply saying do the best that you can and leave professional development workshops during off hours are mandatory when the rest to tomorrow. Is it worth your health? Is it worth in fact they are not. Just say, "Let me get back to you on that," your mental well-being? Is it worth the time lost and consult your contract or chapter president before saying no. from your families, the stress and the demoralization? The answer to these questions is no, How to say no and it's time for us to start using that word." "I already have too much on my plate." Once you've said no, don't feel bad, Rem"I'd like to, but I can't because..." ington advises. "You probably should find someone else who can bring more "Remember, it's not personal, it's business. expertise to this project." Instead of feeling bad, feel good that you have There are ways to say no — and ways to say no without really more time to devote to what you want to do, saying no, says Remington, who says he has no guilt about putting not what someone else expects you to do. The Pye Cornejo himself first. person who's asking you to do something has One way to avoid having to say no is to volunteer for something you like someone else in mind as a backup. If you tell them no, it's to do before you are asked to do something you'd rather not. It's better not the end of the world. They will simply move on to the to serve on committees or work on events that you enjoy, and volunteernext person." ing for these things in advance can head off a request for something you abhor. White, for example, always volunteers for Family Literacy Night and 18 Educator 12 Dec 2013 v2.0 int.indd 18 DE C E M B E R 2013 | JANUARY 2014 12/14/13 3:33 PM