Ask Marian! Improve your WORDpower™ today.

Frequently Asked WORDpower™ and Communicaton Questions

• Is there an easier way to say "no", than just saying "No!"? I have a really difficult time with that.
• How can I do better at keeping my own deadlines when I'm constantly interrupted by others?
• I have trouble with procrastination... it always seems to find me.  How can I break that?
• Is there a quick way to get back on track when things start going downhill during the day?

Is there an easier way to say "no", than just saying "No!"? I have a really difficult time with that.

If you are prone to saying “Sure” when your time is at a premium, try esponding with “IF I CAN.” Then get more information…How much time will it take? Ask when they need an answer. This will buy you some time to be more steadfast in your choice to say no.

Check your calendar and check for red flags…a lump in your throat…a sinking feeling. If it’s definitely a NO, call and thank them for asking you. Explain your concern for time or making commitments you can keep. Get used to feeling guilty. Guilt turns into self-respect!

How can I do better at keeping my own deadlines when I'm constantly interrupted by others?

If someone calls in the middle of a project tell them you’re glad to hear from them and that you want to talk with them. Then tell them you’re in the middle of a project and you want to give them your full time and attention. Ask when you can get back to them. Lead by example. When calling others, ask Is this a good time for you? Do you have 2, 5, 10 minutes? If not, then when?

I have trouble with procrastination... it always seems to find me.  How can I break that?

If you procrastinate, and then beat yourself up, you probably bit off more than you can chew. Remember Inactivity is the darkroom where negativity develops. Break tasks down into manageable baby steps. What’s a baby step? One small doable task that gets you started: one call that gets made; one file that gets put away; one box that gets emptied.

Is there a quick way to get back on track when things start going downhill during the day?

Start over 100 times a day. Have you ever noticed that even after a pretty good day - maybe a few small things went awry - when we’re asked about the day, that we talk about the few things that went awry? Human nature? No. Just habit. Unless you need help to resolve something bad that happened, learn to let the small things go and start over!