Here’s a more extreme version of the same principle. Adopt a rule that no new task can be deferred: if accepted, it must be the new priority. Last come, first served. The immediate consequence is that no project may be taken on unless it’s worth dropping everything to work on it.
Tim Harford on the importance of saying no.
Surprisingly often, blog readers tell me they found my own “Just say no” blog post unusually influential. People do not normally go out of their way to say such things, so I notice when they do.
I am pleased to say: four years ago I said “no” to new field projects and new major papers. I stuck to it. As of a couple of months ago, I have no active field projects or people working for me anywhere in the world, other than the research manager who sits beside my office. And that is from a peak of 120 employees two years ago. Color me unstressed and relieved. Also, back spasms of stress not so common anymore. Occupational hazard.
It won’t last. Naturally I am starting new projects. But what I treasure is the time and mental energy that comes from clearing the table of old projects, giving me the time and freedom to be strategic and picky about what I do next, rather than opportunistic. Highly recommended.
22 Responses
RT @ernestopriego: ‘Just say no, redux’ http://t.co/3e01tZ0tb0 via @cblatts via @travellingmoose
‘Just say no, redux’ http://t.co/3e01tZ0tb0 via @cblatts via @travellingmoose
Just say no, redux: Here’s a more extreme version of the same principle. Adopt a rule that no new task can be … http://t.co/7QYu6T6lLp
You are starting new projects? That is great! Now hire me! otherwise I will keep you bugging at all the different IGC conferences you ll attend. No kidding.
RT @alissafishbane: “Color me unstressed and relieved.” @cblatts on Just Saying No. http://t.co/EtyJ1lBsZE
RT @cblatts: My one gigantic piece of life advice, where I actually do what I say: “no” http://t.co/XnZ5c4oAog
My one gigantic piece of life advice, where I actually do what I say: “no” http://t.co/XnZ5c4oAog
“Just say no, redux” by @cblatts http://t.co/tsptUaEciI
RT @cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
RT @cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
@cblatts My craziest experience is asking someone to leave me alone for them to respond: ‘what about your autonomy?’ Obv. had it’s context.
RT @cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
RT @kopalo: “@cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/P8K92pRp7X” <<< Blattman killed 120 jobs. RAs of the w…
RT @cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
“Color me unstressed and relieved.” @cblatts on Just Saying No. http://t.co/EtyJ1lBsZE
“@cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/P8K92pRp7X” <<< Blattman killed 120 jobs. RAs of the world unite!!!
big yes to this RT @cblatts: The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/nxTVrYHXH9
The secret to happiness and autonomy is saying no http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
RT @cblatts: Just say no, redux http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
RT @cblatts: Just say no, redux http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn
“I treasure th mental energy from clearing table of old projects, freedom to be strategic & picky abt what I do next” http://t.co/KXpFz1W1nm
RT @cblatts: Just say no, redux http://t.co/Cg81W25ssn