If there isn’t too much on your plate, you’re probably unemployed. Or maybe self-employed. Whatever.
When you’re asked to do stuff that you can’t manage well, when you’re asked to complete tasks that as much as you might want to, you just don’t have the time to do, when you’re asked to do something that you just don’t want to do, how you say no is critical.
So here it goes: Appreciate the request. Be transparent. Offer possible solutions. Confirm the other person understands.
I am truly honored you trust me enough to do that. I wish I had time to do it for you. (Is there anything I can move off my plate or is there anything you’ve assigned me that isn’t also a priority?) What I can do is….. and unless I’m missing something, that is the best option. (Am I missing anything?) Is this what you’d like me to do?/Will this work?/What other options do you see?/Here are the other options I see… So, thank you. Then, this is what we’ll do…. right? Ok. Great. Thank you.
What would you do? How would you handle this? Does this seem plausible to you? Please comment below.