Saying No (Beth B)

Have you ever been in charge of some big project? One where you had to get volunteer help and a lot of people were counting on you? Well I have and I learned many great life lessons from the experiences. Far and above the most important thing that I learned, was the importance of saying no.  Most of you have heard about this from the volunteers' perspective. It is very true that you need to put up boundaries to protect your emotional and spiritual health (as well as your family's). If you are saying yes just to please people, you will fail at the task. It is never a good idea, and you will end up disappointing more people than you are able to please.
Today, though, I want to speak to you from the organizer's perspective. There is nothing worse than having someone say yes and then fail to follow through. I have so much more respect for the person who honestly admits that they do not have the time, effort or motivation to assist in the project. There is no shame in that honesty. On the flip side, there are those who say yes and then leave people with a mess to clean up. Either the volunteer was stretched too thin, uncommitted or ill-equipped and as a result the work doesn't get done. This leaves the organizer scrambling and, quite frankly. frustrated. It is so much better to be able to find someone up for the task way before the event, than playing catch up days or hours before deadlines.
So next time you are faced with a volunteer opportunity, pause and consider your answer carefully. Remember to let your yes, be yes, and your no, be no. Everyone will be appreciative of your truthfulness.