I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL PROJECTS

• let people know when you have accepted other responsibilities
  
• no need to make excuses if you don\'t have any free time
  
• no one will fault you for having already filled your plate

I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT

• you might be uncomfortable with any of a number of issues
  
• the people involved, the type of work, the morale implications, etc.
  
• this is a very respectful way to avoid a sticky situation

I AM NOT TAKING ON ANY NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

• you aren\'t saying that you will never help out again
  
• just that you feel your schedule is as full as you would like now
  
• understanding your limits is a talent to be expected

I AM NOT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB

• if you don\'t feel that you have adequate skills, that\'s okay
  
• it\'s better to admit your limitations up front
  
• the best way to avoid feeling overwhelmed down the road

I DO NOT ENJOY THAT KIND OF WORK

• life isn\'t about drudgery -- if you don\'t enjoy it, why do it?
  
• don\'t be afraid to let someone know you just don\'t want to
  
• someone else is bound to enjoy the work you don\'t

I DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE ROOM IN MY CALENDAR

• be honest if your schedule is filled
  
• \"filled\" doesn\'t have to mean really filled
  
• know when you are scheduled as much as you are willing and stop

I HATE TO SPLIT MY ATTENTION AMONG PROJECTS

• let people know that you want to do a good job for them
  
• but you can\'t when your focus is too divided or splintered
  
• you will be more effective if you focus on one project at a time

I HAVE ANOTHER COMMITMENT

• it doesn\'t matter what the commitment is
  
• it can even simply be time to yourself or with friends or family
  
• you don\'t have to justify -- you simply aren\'t available

I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH THAT

• volunteering shouldn\'t mean learning an entirely new set of skills
  
• suggest that they find someone who has experience in that area
  
• offer to help out with something that you already know how to do

I KNOW YOU WILL DO A WONDERFUL JOB YOURSELF

• people often ask for help because they doubt their own abilities
  
• let them know that you have confidence they will succeed
  
• you are actually doing them a favor in the long run

I NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON MY PERSONAL LIFE

• don\'t be ashamed of wanting to spend time with your family
  
• having a strong family is an important priority in and of itself
  
• be willing to put your personal needs first

I NEED TO FOCUS ON MY CAREER RIGHT NOW

• often, you have to focus your energies on a work-related task
  
• you may have to give up some civic or community duties
  
• if you don\'t do it, someone else will take on the task

I NEED TO LEAVE SOME FREE TIME FOR MYSELF

• it\'s okay to be selfish -- in a good way!
  
• treat your personal time like any other appointment
  
• block off time in your calendar and guard it with your life

I WOULD RATHER DECLINE THAN DO A MEDIOCRE JOB

• know when you aren\'t going to be able to deliver a quality product
  
• the reason doesn\'t matter -- not enough time, wrong skills, etc.
  
• whatever the reason is enough for turning a request down

I WOULD RATHER HELP OUT WITH ANOTHER TASK

• saying no doesn\'t mean that you can\'t help at all
  
• if someone asks you to do something you really despise, refuse
  
• then offer to help with something you find more enjoyable

LET ME HOOK YOU UP WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN DO IT

• if you aren\'t available to help out, offer another qualified resource
  
• helping to connect people is a valuable service to offer
  
• make sure the person you refer will represent you well

NO

• sometimes it\'s okay to just say no!
  
• just say it in a way that expresses respect and courtesy
  
• leave the door open for good relations

NOT RIGHT NOW, BUT I CAN DO IT LATER

• if you really want to help but don\'t have time, say so
  
• offer to help at a later time or date
  
• if they can\'t wait for you, they\'ll find someone else

SOME THINGS HAVE COME UP THAT NEED MY ATTENTION

• unexpected things happen that throw your schedule off
  
• accept that you may need to make a few adjustments
  
• it is temporary and you will have more time when life stabilizes

THIS REALLY IS NOT MY STRONG SUIT

• it\'s okay to admit your limitations
  
• knowing what you can handle and what you can\'t is a skill
  
• your time will be more efficiently spent on something you do well

“Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the original founder of OnlineOrganizing. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a \"Renaissance Woman\" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As both a virtual and traveling organizer, she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office, put on a workshop, or educate you through one of her popular teleseminars. As a simplicity coach, Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, social commentary, travel tips, and film reviews with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at \"http://www.ramonacreel.com\"  www.RamonaCreel.com