NOvember: The Power of Saying No

Do you find it difficult to say no? Are you often overwhelmed by your to-do list, or feel a little taken for granted? Do you want to try a different approach to help break a persistent cycle of overcommitment?

In 2023, Dawn from our Communities Engagement team realised that she was overwhelmed and felt ‘stuck’ in a cycle of taking on too much, so she decided to try something new.

Dawn dedicated a month to deliberately practicing the art — and discomfort — of saying “no.” Communicating clearly with their contacts, they framed it as a “NOvember,” a month where “no” would be the default response.

This simple yet powerful shift had a significant impact — not only on mindset and scheduling, but also on how others perceived their availability and workload. It became clear that boundaries could be empowering, rather than limiting.

Since then, this practice has been refined and expanded through continued experimentation, research, and insights drawn from fields such as mindfulness, yoga, and the science of rest and recovery.

This session explores how easily people can become overloaded — often with things they genuinely want to do — and offers practical strategies for creating space, setting realistic expectations, and prioritising what truly matters.

In this interactive and honest session, we’ll explore:

• Why “no” matters in agile work and purpose-led leadership
• Personal stories from NOvember — what worked, what flopped, and what Dawn now does differently.
• Burnout and boundaries — practical ways to prevent overcommitment

You’ll walk away with:

• A “YES Filter” — a simple framework to help you decide what deserves your energy
• A curated list of “Ways to Say No” — professional, kind, and effective phrases
• Space to reflect on your current commitments, and the confidence to recalibrate

This Is for You If...

• You’re often the one who says yes (even when you’re already overloaded)
• You want to build healthier boundaries without losing opportunities
• You’ve felt burnout creeping in and want to catch it early
• You’re curious how “no” can actually lead to a better “yes”