A Compassionate Email Trick That Can Make a Relationship Feel Stronger
The strange thing that happens when you congratulate people for honoring their own needs
The other day I had to decline a work opportunity that I’d previously expressed enthusiasm for. We had scheduled (and rescheduled) a phone call to go over the brief, I had expressed interest on the call, and was awaiting some paperwork for me to sign so we could progress further.
Overnight, I realized that the opportunity wasn’t quite the right fit for my post-pandemic work life—one where I’m trying to be hyper-cautious about effort in for money out so I can attain my ultimate goal: working less.
I agonized over how to tell her via email. I thought about how I’d be letting her down. I felt I’d led her on in some way by taking the call, expressing interest, and then deciding I didn’t want to do it. But then I realized the best solution was obvious: Be honest.
So I told her something along the lines of: “Thank you for thinking of me and taking the time to explain the opportunity. However it’s not quite the right fit for what I’m trying to create in my work life right now—something I didn’t realize until after our phone call.” In truth, I think I actually used the phrase “not quite in alignment,” to make…
