In business, the concept of having the choice to say “yes” or “no” must seem like an absurd notion, because typically, doesn’t everything need to be done when requested? No, not necessarily. Nothing good can come from us twisting ourselves inside out to appease someone else’s timeline.
That’s not to say that deadlines are not critical and emergencies don’t come up—of course, there are instances in which you as a professional need to step up and take care of business instantly.
But not everything is an emergency, and it’s okay to decline or postpone a client request on occasion.
Your clients and colleagues are busy and have needs, but so do you. When an impromptu, urgent request comes up during a time when you are handling multiple projects and unable to redirect your time and energy, take a moment to ask some questions:
What is your absolute deadline for this? Find out if this is truly an emergency request that has consequences for not being done straight away, or if you have some leeway in which to complete the task. Many tend to ask for something to be done “ASAP,” but in reality, it could wait a day or two.
Is this a priority over another request? If this is still deemed urgent after determining the timeframe, but you also have other deadlines you have to meet, make sure it is clear that this means other projects will be put on hold to accomplish this. By placing the prioritization back into their hands, this will allow you to properly reschedule your time as needed after they reflect on what’s most important to them.
Is there anyone else who could assist with this? Sometimes even if it is an emergency, you have other professional or personal commitments that just cannot be changed on the spot. Asking if there is another associate with the skills and know-how to take this on can alleviate the pressure on yourself. Perhaps you are able to offer a review or assistance on the request if someone else is able to take the burden of the lead on it, thereby lending support without accepting the overwhelm of the responsibility.
Finding out more about a specific project’s timeline can help you to restructure your commitments in a way that is beneficial to both parties. It never hurts to ask for more details or for clarity so that you can make the best decision for your time management while acknowledging their needs.
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