Summertime Reset

Welcome to a special episode of our podcast, "Summertime Reset for HR Practitioners." I'm your host, Tiffany Fortune. Today, we'll be focusing on the "Power of No"—an essential skill for maintaining balance and well-being in both our personal and professional lives. Join me as we explore empowering ways to reframe this simple word and make it a powerful tool for your success and self-care. Let's dive in!

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The Richmond SHRM Voices podcast, the podcast connecting you to all things HR with your host Tiffany Fortune. The Voices podcasts are brought to you by the Richmond Society of Human Resource Management and Virginia529@work: helping educate your employees to save for education.

Transcript

The Richmond SHRM Voices Podcast is a podcast connecting you to all things HR with your host Tiffany Fortune. The Voices Podcast is brought to you by the Richmond Society of Human Resource Management and Virginia 529,
helping educate your employees about saving for education. Subscribe to Richmond Shurm Voices Podcast on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, or wherever you like to listen. Download episodes at richmondshrm.org.

Welcome to today's episode of Richmansherm Voices podcast where we're taking a summertime reset to focus on something incredibly powerful, yet often overlooked in our busy professional lives,
the power of saying no. I'm Tiffany, your host, and today I'll be sharing my personal journey and insights on how embracing NO can transform our lives and careers.
In mid-2020, the world shifted beneath our feet. I made the turmoil and sudden pivot to remote work, inclusivity took center stage, demanding swift action and deep understanding.

As a nearly 50 year old black woman in HR, my experience and identity suddenly made me a sought-after commodity in an industry scrambling to a death. While it was exhilarating to be needed,
the insatiable demand for my time and expertise quickly became overwhelming. I found myself saying yes to everything, and soon the quality of my work and my wellbeing began to suffer.
I was on a fast track to burnout. It was a wake-up call. I had to step back and reevaluate my priorities. I learned that saying yes to everything meant I wasn't truly saying yes to anything, at least not in a meaningful way. 

I had to learn the power of no, not as a negation, but as an affirmation of my value. Learning to say no was a journey. It meant recognizing that I couldn't be everything to one, but could be my best for the projects and people that aligned with my core values. This ownership of my limits didn't diminish my value, it enhanced it. In a world that equates busyness with importance and self-sacrifice with dedication, owning my NO allowed me to regain control over my contributions and well-being.

It helped me focus on quality, not just quantity, ensuring that my work had the deep, meaningful impact I strive for. This was my journey to empowerment.
So how did I get started? There are so many talks, so many podcasts, so many books about understanding your you.
I'll share a few strategies that continue to help me along this journey. 

One, recognize your value beyond yes. Understand that your own worth isn't tied to how many requests you fulfill. Saying no enhances your ability to contribute effectively where it matters most.

Two, prioritize your commitments. Evaluate each request against your core values and goals. Prioritize engagements that align with your mission and where you can have the most impact.

Three, set clear boundaries. We hear about boundaries again. We talked about boundaries in our last episode with Maggie Smith, but set clear boundaries.
Define and communicate clear professional and personal boundaries. Boundaries help manage expectations and safeguard your time and well-being. 

Number four, embrace quality over quantity. Focus on the quality of your work and impact. Rather than the number of tasks completed, this reduces the risk of burnout.

Number Five, one that I struggle with. Learn to delegate. Delegate tasks that can be shared with others. This lightens your load, empowers your team, and empowers those around you. 

Six, incorporate self -care too your routine.
Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your day, whether it's a hobby, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. Self-care enhances your overall productivity.

Seven, regularly reevaluate your commitments. Periodically review your workload to stay aligned with your priorities and adjust your boundaries as necessary. 

Eight, seek support. Don't hesitate to seek support from mentors, peers, or professionals in feeling overwhelmed. Sharing experiences can provide new strategies for managing demands.

None, celebrate your achievements. Take time to acknowledge your successes, reinforcing your sense of purpose and value. 

And last but not least, Ten, adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining boundaries and priorities. Stay open to re-evaluating decisions as new opportunities arise.

Equation requires patience, time, and sometimes stepping into uncomfortable territories. Embracing the power of know is about cultivating respect for our energy, commitments, and the finite hours in our day. Saying no isn't a rejection but a declaration of value. It signifies honoring the importance of rest,
personal growth, and time with loved ones. By thoughtfully choosing where we lend our efforts, we're not just managing our time, we're enriching it.

Remember, owning your voice and your impact means understanding that you have the power and the right to say no. It's about maximizing your contribution to what truly matters,not just preserving your health but thriving on your terms. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you found this episode empowering and that it inspires you to take control of your time and well -being.

Until next time, stay focused, stay balanced, and remember, the power of no is your pathway to impactful and meaningful work.

Thanks for listening to the Richmond SHRM Voices Podcast, the podcast connecting you to all things HR with your host Tiffany Fortune. The Voices podcast are brought to you by the Richmond Society of Human Resource Management and Virginia 529 at Work, helping educate your employees about saving for education. If you like our show and you want to know more, subscribe or check out Richmond SHRM website at RichmondShRM .org.