It's only 2 little letters... so why is "NO" so hard For Women Entrepreneurs? 🙅‍♀️

This article has been authored by Wendy Shore, Shore Advice

Why is Saying "No" Is Hard for Women Entrepreneurs? "No" is a simple two-letter word, yet it can be surprisingly difficult for many women entrepreneurs to say. Declining requests and setting boundaries can feel impossible when we are in business and want to accommodate others.

There are a few reasons why saying no can be especially hard for women entrepreneurs:

1. We are often taught to be helpful and accommodating. We may have been raised to put others' needs before our own, even at our own expense. This can make it difficult to say no, even when it's necessary.

2. We don't want to be seen as rude or selfish. We may worry that if we say no, people will think we're not nice or that we don't care about them. This can be especially true if the person making the request is a man.

3. We may feel guilty about disappointing others. We may worry that if we say no, we'll let someone down. This can be especially true if we have a close relationship with the person making the request.

4. We may be afraid of conflict. We may worry that if we say no, the person will be angry or upset with us. This can be especially true if we're not used to setting boundaries.

“No” is a complete sentence

Despite the challenges, saying no has many benefits for women entrepreneurs:

1. It allows us to protect our time and energy. When we say yes to everything, we end up overcommitted and stressed. This can lead to burnout and a decline in productivity.

2. It helps us to focus on our priorities. When we say no to things that are not important to us, we can focus our time and energy on the things that are.

3. It builds our confidence. Learning to say no can be a powerful way to assert ourselves and build our confidence.

4. It sets a healthy boundary. When we say no, we are setting a boundary between ourselves and others. This can help us to protect ourselves from being taken advantage of.

Here are some tips for women entrepreneurs to say no confidently:

1. Be direct and honest. Don't beat around the bush or make excuses.

2. Be respectful, but firm. You don't have to be mean or rude to say no.

3. Explain why you're saying no, if it's appropriate. But don't feel obligated to justify yourself.

4. Don't make vague promises. If you're not sure if you can do something, say no. Do not leave your “No” open-ended by saying something like "Let me check my schedule and get back to you" It creates an obligation to follow up, which undermines setting a firm boundaryPractice saying no. The more you practice, the easier it will become.

Here are 8 examples of how to say "no" without using the word "no":

1. "I'm not available right now."

2. "That doesn't fit with my schedule."

3. "I'm not able to take on any more commitments at this time."

4. "I'm not the right person for that."

5. "I'm not sure if I can do that."

6. "I need to think about that."

7. "I'll get back to you on that."

8. "I'm not comfortable with that."

Remember, it's okay to say no. In fact, it's often the best thing for you and your business. So don't be afraid to practice saying no and to set healthy boundaries. It's one of the most important skills you can learn as a woman entrepreneur. Continued Growth & Impact!