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Authenticity Letter

‘Saying no’ emphatically has been a topic on my agenda the past few years. One of the people who inspire me in how to take great care of yourself and Others is the American psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, who invented Non Violent Communication. In his view, nothing is more important than being able to say ‘no’ empathically.

He reminds us that ‘No’ is always ‘Yes, to something else’.

What I’ve learned is that we should deeply care about the stuff and people we say ‘yes’ to, starting with saying ‘yes’ to our own feelings and needs in this regard, and attending to them properly.

What also stuck with me was the craving of academics I work with for practical tips and advice on how to say no empathically on a daily basis. So, I’d love to give you my ‘two cents’ on how to say ‘no’ in 5 steps.

These steps are all about being in touch with yourself to such a degree that you don’t only know why you are declining but also feel that you need to be declining.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Anna

Please share this letter with whomever you feel you should be sharing this letter with. Sharing widely is greatly appreciated.

The contents

The Art and Magic of Declining: 'Saying No' Emphatically
The Authenticity Calendar: NOSTER PhD and ResMA Workshop coming up and Shut up & Write-Workshops
Academics about Anna's Coaching: Marco Derks (UU)
#friendlyreminders on workdays* in your inbox: sign up now!

*Yeah... I do mean Mondays-Fridays... just to be sure... ;)

Practicing 'Saying No' Emphatically...

On Saying ‘No’: the Art and Magic of Declining

What is your big plan?

What do you strive for?

If you’re a PhD student right now, it is quite simple actually: it’s getting your PhD done.

If you’re faculty, it is less tangible than ‘getting your project done’, but overall it should be a plan that helps you thrive and bring out your best, whatever that is: your perspective on research, your vision on teaching, your ideas about a nurturing academic environment. Basically, what do you want to be remembered for when you retire?

If you’re an academic entrepreneur working on fixed-term contracts: how do your projects fit into a larger picture, of something you are trying to get accomplished in these fixed-term projects?

If you slow down enough to catch up with yourself, you enable yourself to create a clear sense of what you are about (this week, this month, this project, your next project, your career). This makes it so much easier to say 'yes' wholeheartedly to what will nourish you and let you thrive, and 'no' empathically to every and anything that just does not go with your flow. Want to read up on the 5 steps of saying 'no' empathically? Click 'yes' below ;)

Yes, I'd love to read up on 'saying no'

The Authenticity Calendar

Shut up & Write Workshops

Next week! Wednesday 13.03.2019: Amsterdam (still 3 tickets available)

Wednesday 10.04.2019: Utrecht (10 tickets available)

Schedule for a Shut up & Write Workshop in the future, click here

Academics about Roos (27): "I felt hesitant at first. I felt I did not have enough material to start shutting up and writing. Plus: what kind of difference can one day of writing bring, right? Well... as it turns out... it really made a significant change! Thank you so much, Anna, for 're-setting' me to a certain extent. Writing has been such fun, and felt so effortless since the Shut up & Write Workshop. My advice to academics? Start before you feel ready. Just book a workshop and get in flow! :)"

Simple, nurturing programs, guaranteed to help you get in the flow of writing.

Friendly reminder: After approval of my quotations by supervisors, most participants finance these workshops out of their bench-fees or personal and career development budgets.
Feel free to request a non-binding quotation for your supervisor's approval.

Complimentary Coaching Sessions:
feel invited to schedule a free appointment

Schedule for your complimentary session on Mondays or Tuesdays by clicking here.

Friendly reminder: After approval of my quotations by supervisors, most participants finance individual coaching out of their bench-fees or personal and career development budgets.
Feel free to request a non-binding quotation for your supervisor's approval.

Workshops

16.04.2019, 11.00-13.00: NOSTER (Radboud University Nijmegen) Spring Conference PhD and Res MA Workshop on Balancing Academic Work & Life

Academics about Anna's Coaching

Marco Derks MPhil, PhD candidate Utrecht University:

'I have come to know Anna as a warm and wise person.
I cannot think of anyone who is better equipped to guide scholars in taking more care of their academic selves.'

We can all do with some friendly reminding on a daily basis. So...

Want to receive #friendlyreminders on workdays in your inbox?

They are short, sweet and helpful. I promise.

Please, remind me :)

Visit Anna's website for Coaching, Authenticity Circles and Workshops!