Have you ever gone along with a transaction or a request because you felt bad or intimidated saying “no thanks?” Do you remember the results of that transaction?
Here’s my second question for you: Do you find it difficult saying “no thanks?”
I have on quite a few occasions and the results haven’t been that good.
No Thanks and Personality
My personality is such that I don’t like people thinking ill of me. I am more of a people pleaser. This has not worked out too well for me in some situations. It has cost me time, money and other resources in the past.
I have worked hard in this area of my personality knowing that it’s okay to say no or no thanks. If someone gets offended because of that, I have to be okay with that. That’s their choice.
Even though it is becoming easier for me to do, it still feels awkward. It’s as if I’m doing something wrong.
How The $avings $tarted:
Recently while on a cruise, we had a stop in Puerto Rico. One of the “must see” sightseeing tour, was the famous Bacardi distillery. We did not purchase the package tour that the cruise line offered. We thought we could get better deals once we arrived and went on shore.
The first thing we had to do was get a taxi.
And here is where the savings took place.
The taxi driver who asked us “where to,” said it would cost us forty dollars one way. That would be eighty dollars roundtrip at that rate. Eighty dollars! To me, the Bacardi tour wasn’t worth that much money.
My response was “no thanks.” I said it and felt nothing. No guilt whatsoever. Actually it felt good walking away.
A few feet away, I asked another gentleman about an alternative method to getting to the distillery.
He told us to walk for about five minutes to the pier, pay fifty cents each for the ferry, and once on the other side, pay three dollars each for a taxi. He told us that the taxi will take us to the distillery.
Wow. A total of thirteen dollars. Instead of it costing me eighty dollars it only cost me thirteen dollars. This was a saving of sixty seven dollars. I just saved sixty seven dollars by saying “no thanks.”
How difficult was it? Not that difficult.
Now It’s Your Turn:
You might be able to do the same or more by learning to say “no thanks.”
Not only is the saving monetary in value, it could be of relational value as well. A request from someone to do something that would jeopardize your relationship with a friend, significant other, coworker or family member, requires a “no thanks” response.
A simple “no thank you” might make all the difference.
What To Do Now:
I would love to hear if you are able to say “no thanks” easier than I do and how it has worked for you. Take a few moments and leave me your comment below.
