Are you the kind of person who finds it hard to say ‘no’ when people ask you to do a favor?
Do you sometimes find yourself buried under someone else’s agenda at the expense of your own desires?
Well, I might have a tactic that can help.
I’m not a big believer in manipulative dating hacks, but some have a psychological benefit that can serve creatives well. One type that I like is ‘playing hard to get.’
The basic idea is not to be too available and thus appearing more desirable to the person you wish to pursue you.
However, it can work in other ways as well by dissuading people from using you as the ‘go to person’. By not being too available you can claim your life back and focus on the priorities that are important to you. Here’s how it can work.
Them: “Hi, can you do X for me?”
You: “Sorry, I’m busy.”
Them: “How about next week?”
You: “I’ll check my schedule and get back to you.” (You can either really get back to them or hope that they forget and find someone else).
Please note a few things. First, you don’t need to give more information than necessary. You don’t need to tell them what you’re busy doing or when you’ll finish.
Second, you also don’t have to tell them when you’ll get back to them. If they press for an answer right away you can add, “I’m sorry my schedule may not allow me to do it.” See how you can blame your schedule without really saying no?
It takes practice to play this game, but it’s worth figuring out because you are valuable and so is your time.
Learn how to protect it.
Image copyright © Andreas Lischka/pixabay