Say No to Protect your Retirement
It’s not easy for most people to say No and some of us have a hard time doing it. I know it is something I have struggled with, both in my career and in my retirement. I have been learning to say No more often, because small requests can turn into big obligations. Here are the Top 5 things you may want to watch out for in retirement, to protect your time and avoid open-ended commitments.
Top 5 Encroaching Obligations
Side Work- Retirement Business
- Childcare
- Volunteering
- Invitations & Activities
When I first retired last year, I really wanted to do some consulting, find a part-time job or work on some projects. I also considered starting a small online or virtual business and I may still do that in the future. I wanted to supplement my investment income and keep myself busy and focused. Fourteen months into retirement, I changed my mind on this whole idea of a retirement side-hustle. I underestimated how much I would love my free time and hate new work responsibilities.
How to Say No
It’s not just important to know when to say No, it’s just as important to know How to say No. Saying No in a positive way, without causing hard feelings is a subtle art form. Here are some polite and effective ways to say No from an article I read from Science of People.
- Practice saying No ahead of Time.
- Say No in writing or in an Email.
- Don’t Offer an Explanation.
- Don’t Apologize or Negotiate
- Offer an Alternative
The Bottom Line
Sometimes, in order to get what you want from life, you first have to say No to the things you don’t want. Otherwise, you could spend your retirement catering to other people’s wishes and needs, instead of enjoying your own life.
“It’s only by saying NO that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.” — Steve Jobs
