7 Good Minutes: Extra - The Tomorrow Test: A Simple Check Before You Say Yes

Someone asks you to take on one more thing, and you feel that small sinking feeling. Before you answer, here's one quick way to slow the moment down.

Say, "Let me check and get back to you by tonight," and name a time. Then, when you have a quiet minute, ask yourself: if this were happening tomorrow, would I still say yes? Tomorrow takes away the imaginary free time we always picture next month.

If the answer is yes, say it and mean it. If it's no, send a short, kind reply: thank them, say no, and give one true reason. No long apology, no made-up excuse. You might get a few awkward seconds or a little disappointment, but research on declined invitations suggests the other person is usually less upset than we predict. What you get back is a Saturday you keep.


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7 Good Minutes is presented by OCEANSCAPE and published by The Extraordinary Network.