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11 Ways Ruckus Makers Say No (Without Killing Their Careers)
Danny Bauer
March 27, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
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Hey — It’s Danny.
And I’m guessing since you are an educator, that you also have a big heart. Very good for showing compassion. Very bad for boundaries.
If I talk to ten educators in a room, at least eight of them have a hard time saying NO — and actually meaning it.
If you can relate, this issue is for you.
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THE RUCKUS MAKER ADVANTAGE
11 Ways to Say No — And Mean It
What I love about educators is that they have a big heart.
But that big heart can easily get broken. And when you aren’t able to say NO there is a major tradeoff.
You have no time for mission critical work … no time for family … and no time for yourself. This is a recipe for burnout.
If I asked you right now, “Do you want to burnout in the next few years.”
You would never answer YES to that question. But your actions tell a very different story.
Perhaps because you don’t (yet) know how to say NO and mean it.
That changes today.
Here’s 11 ways to say NO — and mean it.
The Time Blocker
“I've blocked that time for my highest-leverage work, so I can't take this on right now."
Why it works: Shows you're intentional with your calendar. You prioritize what moves the needle.
The Redirector
"That sounds important, but it's not where I can create the most value. Have you connected with [person/team] who specializes in this?"
Why it works: Matches the right challenge with the right talent. Best of all, you are not the bottleneck.
The Priority Revealer
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