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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a boundary
    • ex. Melissa decided to set boundaries at work by not answering emails after 6 p.m.
  2. assess
    • ex. The coach will assess the players’ skills to decide who will join the team.
  3. a workload
    • ex. Pia has a heavy workload. She has to finish three projects this week.
  4. a priority
    • ex. George made a list of his priorities so he could finish the most important tasks first.
  5. selective
    • ex. Tom is selective about what he eats. He only eats fresh vegetables and fruits.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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For many people, it’s difficult to set boundaries at work, and in life. Many people find it difficult to say no, especially to a manager. But according to experts, learning to say no to a request or invitation is important to protect our physical and mental health. And just like any new skill, setting boundaries gets easier with practice.

A person might want to agree immediately when someone asks for his or her help. But sometimes, it’s better to wait before responding. Expert Israa Nasir suggests taking five minutes to assess one’s workload, energy, and priorities before agreeing to a new request. She also recommends creating a “No List” for activities that are stressful and tiring. This list helps decide when to say no, but it doesn’t mean refusing every request.

For meetings, it’s important to be selective about accepting invitations. Janine Pelosi, CEO of a video technology company, thinks workers should be able to leave meetings that are not useful. It’s better to ask the goal of the meeting before deciding to attend. Setting clear boundaries is key to keeping a healthy work-life balance.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Saying No

  • How do you feel about saying no to requests, invitations, or more tasks at school/work? Discuss.
  • Israa Nasir recommends creating a "No List" for activities that are stressful and tiring. What do you think of this suggestion (ex. I’d like to try it, it won’t work for me)? Discuss.
  • Imagine you have to say no to someone’s request or invitation. How would you say it? Discuss.

Setting Boundaries

  • What benefits do you think setting boundaries has for your mental and physical health? Discuss.
  • Experts suggest assessing your workload, energy, and priorities before agreeing to a request. What are your priorities in life right now (ex. studies, career)? Discuss.
  • Just like any new skill, setting boundaries gets easier with practice. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Discuss.