The Career By Design Podcast with Stacey Back

#41: People Pleaser? How To Say No With Clarity & Confidence

Stacey Back Episode 41

Do you keep saying yes -- when every part of you wants to say no?

Three of the biggest self-sabotaging behaviours I see in high-achieving leaders I work with -- what I call the 3P's -- are people pleasing, perfectionism and procrastination.

Today, we're diving into people pleasing -- a topic that comes up in nearly EVERY client conversation.

One client shared they were struggling to complete a project. The reason? Diving deeper, we discovered the work didn’t energise or interest them.

My client had agreed to collaborate on the project as a favour to the other person. But it wasn’t work they WANTED to do. No wonder it was a challenge to stay motivated! 

This is the perfect example of what happens when you fail to set boundaries or say NO. You say yes out of obligation -- because you feel you owe others something. And you become frustrated, apathetic or resentful as a result.

Even though I have strong boundaries, I found myself putting the needs of clients ahead of my own priorities and schedule. Over time, I’ve learnt the importance of setting boundaries with MYSELF -- and respecting my own time too.

Struggling to say NO? In today’s episode, I’m sharing a simple 5-part framework to help you say no with clarity and confidence.

You'll learn:

  • The REAL reasons behind people pleasing and hidden consequences of struggling to say no and set boundaries
  • How to respond when you immediately say yes to any request, so you avoid committing to something you'll regret later
  • Why every yes is ALSO a no -- and the key questions to ask so you say yes to what matters most and no to what doesn’t
  • A practical way to assess opportunities, so you know when to say yes or no and make decisions with confidence
  • How to say no gracefully -- with exact scripts you can use to protect your time, energy and priorities


So hit play NOW -- and let’s dive in!

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LINKS:
Need help saying no or figuring out what you want in your career? Check out the Ignite Your Career program for high-achievers who want to take ownership of their careers with clarity, confidence and a strategic plan.

If you’re interested in working together, I invite you to book a call with me.

Learn more about my services for individuals and organisations at staceyback.com or connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram.