Saying No: The Art and Science of Setting Boundaries at Work

Maybe you have found yourself saying yes to a new project and later regretting it as you grow increasingly overstretched, depleted, and resentful. Perhaps you’ve bumbled your way through saying no to a colleague or student, leaving yourself wondering how others do it with such grace. It turns out that there is an art to setting boundaries. This workshop shows you why, when, and how to say no to avoid burnout and keep yourself moving toward your goals.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the reasons why setting boundaries is a critical skill for flourishing personally and professionally.
• Identify four roadblocks to effective boundary-setting.
• Use a simple decision-making framework to determine whether to say yes or no to an opportunity.
• Apply at least three different techniques to successfully say "no."

Plans for Audience Participation and Interaction:

During this highly interactive session, attendees have an opportunity to engage in a number of activities, including but not limited to: 

• Reflecting upon how you feel about saying "no."
• Completing a self-assessment of your comfort with setting boundaries.
• Engaging in a writing exercise about cultural messages around boundary setting and saying "no."
• Applying a decision-making model to a recent request.
• Participating in a breakout session to brainstorm responses to a boundary-setting scenario.
• Practicing a mindful breathing technique to reduce nervousness when delivering a "no."

Learners will have the option to earn a certificate of attendance or a certificate with Continuing Education Units (CEU) upon completion of the workshop. To earn a certificate with CEUs, the learner must successfully pass the learning assessment with a score of 80% or higher. All learners must complete the post-event evaluation to earn credentials. 

The duration of this workshop is three hours, which is equal to 0.3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).