| How many ways can you say "no"? Teachers must | | | | to-do's that are not really important in keeping the |
| develop the skill of saying "no" in a myriad of situations | | | | classroom running and keeping you on track that you |
| - or else risk being set up for becoming even more | | | | might weed out of your schedule? If so, add them to |
| overworked than they currently are. You've certainly | | | | the not-to-do list. |
| heard of a to-do list, and probably keep one running at | | | | 3. Things that you do specifically to please other |
| all times - but do you have a not-to-do list? Teachers | | | | people, or because you fear that they won't hold you |
| are constantly placed in the "hot seat" by being asked | | | | in the same light if you don't do them. Do you do |
| and expected to do more than they actually have time | | | | certain tasks because you want other people to be |
| to each day. Of course this is certainly not news to | | | | "beholden" to you for any reason? If you're just doing |
| you; even newer educators are well aware that the | | | | something that you really don't want to do or have |
| demands on their time from not only their regular jobs | | | | time to do so that you can please someone else, you |
| but from committees, organizations and other | | | | are doing yourself an injustice - especially when your |
| school-oriented groups are often more than they can | | | | schedule is tightly packed. |
| handle. It seems that everyone is petitioning you for | | | | 4. Items that you can delegate to other people. |
| your attention and time. A Not-to-Do List can help you | | | | 5. Uncompensated requests for your time, effort, or |
| make sense of requests, responsibilities and tasks and | | | | knowledge that are inappropriate or less than |
| become more adept at making decisions in regards to | | | | thoughtful. |
| where you will spend your ever-decreasing time, | | | | 6. Tasks that other people should be doing on their |
| energy and intellect. | | | | own. |
| Creating Your Not-to-Do List | | | | 7. Any instance or situation where the cost of doing |
| Deciding where to spend your time and what to spend | | | | (time, effort, money, relationships, energy) outweighs |
| your time on can become a challenge. Some items | | | | the benefit received in return. |
| that you might decide to include on your list of things | | | | Tactful Ways to Say No |
| not to do include: | | | | Saying no tactfully is tricky - but once you master the |
| 1. Activities or other things you have said "yes" to | | | | art, you'll thank yourself over and over again for |
| when you really wanted to or should have said a flat | | | | growing a backbone and taking some time for |
| "no". This might include serving on committees, | | | | yourself. When saying no you should be firm and polite, |
| chaperoning a field trip, or other time-consuming | | | | and never defensive. You don't want to be overly |
| activities that you struggle to fit into your already | | | | apologetic or sympathetic; this sends the signal that |
| packed schedule. | | | | you will be all too willing to comply "next time around", |
| 2. Jobs, projects, and tasks that have little | | | | which is likely not the case. Remember, you can give |
| consequence. There are always items on the to-do list | | | | an explanation for why you are saying no if you |
| that have such little importance that hardly anyone will | | | | choose to do so, but you're certainly not obligated to |
| notice if you don't get them done on time or if you do | | | | do so. |
| them at all (except you). Can you think of some | | | | |