Hi there,
For this week's newsletter, I wanted to share something with you that I hope you find as useful as I did (it's mainly dedicated to my fellow recovering people-pleasers)!
The art of saying no.
Anyone out there regularly experience that all-too-familiar situation when you don’t actually want to go, but you say yes anyway and then spend the next week resenting it?
Yep. We’ve all been there.
Someone pops into your inbox asking to 'grab a coffee'. Maybe it’s a client, a contact or someone you vaguely know.
And your first, honest thought? "Eurgh, I really do NOT want to go."
Not because you’re rude.
Not because you’re too busy (even if you are).
But because you simply don’t want to spend your precious time there.
And that’s valid. That really is enough.
But instead of saying a clean, confident no… here’s what usually happens:
- You ghost them (and feel low-level guilty every time you remember - this is SO me)
- You say yes, then dread it all week
- Or you apologise and blame your diary: 'Omg, I’m so sorry! I’m just totally swamped right now…'
Which, let’s be honest, invites:
→ Negotiation
→ Guilt
→ Resentment
→ Mental load
All of which are energy leaks. And, if you’re a leader, you really don’t have energy to spare.
So, here’s a better way to say no - with boundaries and grace:
The 3-Part No
1. Say no: “I’m not able to make this right now.”
2. Show gratitude: “Thanks so much for thinking of me.”
3. Offer kindness: “I hope you have a lovely day.”
Clean, kind and closed. No need to justify and no room for awkward comebacks.
Because here’s the thing: As a founder or leader, your time, energy, and focus are strategic resources. Protect them like your business depends on it - because it does.
So if you’ve been saying yes out of guilt or habit… this is your permission slip to stop.
Saying no clearly and kindly isn’t rude, it’s wise.
Have a wonderful week, my friends.
Cate x
Hi there,
For this week's newsletter, I wanted to share something with you that I hope you find as useful as I did (it's mainly dedicated to my fellow recovering people-pleasers)!
The art of saying no.
Anyone out there regularly experience that all-too-familiar situation when you don’t actually want to go, but you say yes anyway and then spend the next week resenting it?
Yep. We’ve all been there.
Someone pops into your inbox asking to 'grab a coffee'. Maybe it’s a client, a contact or someone you vaguely know.
And your first, honest thought? "Eurgh, I really do NOT want to go."
Not because you’re rude.
Not because you’re too busy (even if you are).
But because you simply don’t want to spend your precious time there.
And that’s valid. That really is enough.
But instead of saying a clean, confident no… here’s what usually happens:
- You ghost them (and feel low-level guilty every time you remember - this is SO me)
- You say yes, then dread it all week
- Or you apologise and blame your diary: 'Omg, I’m so sorry! I’m just totally swamped right now…'
Which, let’s be honest, invites:
→ Negotiation
→ Guilt
→ Resentment
→ Mental load
All of which are energy leaks. And, if you’re a leader, you really don’t have energy to spare.
So, here’s a better way to say no - with boundaries and grace:
The 3-Part No
1. Say no: “I’m not able to make this right now.”
2. Show gratitude: “Thanks so much for thinking of me.”
3. Offer kindness: “I hope you have a lovely day.”
Clean, kind and closed. No need to justify and no room for awkward comebacks.
Because here’s the thing: As a founder or leader, your time, energy, and focus are strategic resources. Protect them like your business depends on it - because it does.
So if you’ve been saying yes out of guilt or habit… this is your permission slip to stop.
Saying no clearly and kindly isn’t rude, it’s wise.
Have a wonderful week, my friends.
Cate x
