As I go into the working year I’m trying to identify what must be done, what would be nice to do, and what I should really avoid wasting time on! It seems a good time to focus on the things that will most directly bring results in line with where I want my business to go.
What I absolutely must avoid is spending time on activities that meet the goals of other people, but not my own.
So I know that there is one phrase I shall be using frequently and I thought I would share it with you. It consists of only eight words, or some variant of them, but this phrase has saved me endless trouble and time in many situations.
I use it when someone has made a plan that involves me or has asked me to do something I don’t think I should do. My cue to use the phrase is an immediate feeling that I don’t want to get involved in the way I’m being asked.
The phrase is,”I don’t think this will work for me.”
You could also say something like, “I’m not sure about this”, or, Let me think about this for a moment.”
It does two things. It immediately signals your reluctance and sets the tone for the conversation that is to follow. Secondly, it buys you time while you think through exactly what your reservations are.
Use it next time someone tries to bully you into agreeing with their plans and schemes. Set the tone of the conversation and slow it down so you have time to think.
Try it! It could be the simplest advice you get all year.