Learning to Say "No"

I have spent a lot of my life struggling with learning to say "no."  Especially at work. For years, I have been lazy about my time management at work, because although I was only supposed to work 40 hours, no one cared if I worked overtime.  That gave me the luxury of doing extra things, finishing what I started without concern about time, and not feeling rushed.  But, it also meant that as one more task and one more task came my way, I just accepted the tasks and did them, even if it meant working overtime.

There has been a change in the Fair Labor Standards Act in regards to overtime https://www.dol.gov/whd/overtime/final2016/.  This was interpreted at my place of employment in a way that effected about 900 employees.  I will be one of them.  Starting November 1, 2016, I will no longer be a salaried employee. I will be an hourly employee.  Although I earn over the amount set to be included in this new ruling, as do many of my co-workers, the base salary for my position is below the set amount.  

My place of employment has done some educational sessions to 1) assure us we were not being "devalued" as employees and 2) prepare us for the way our salary is paid, especially because this change starts November 1, 2016, and it will effect our pay checks at the holiday season.  This was highly stressed at the sessions.

My supervisor was very good about explaining the changes, and giving the message that we were not being devalued as employees.  Her comments were consistent with the message at the session I went to that was presented by Human Resources.  And, my supervisor was very clear that we HAD to comply with the 40 hour work week, and failure to do so would be a performance issue at evaluation time.

The good thing about this change process is that we were educated in August, for a change that will be implemented November 1, 2016.  So I have plenty of time to "practice" working only 40 hours a week. The practice includes learning how to adjust my schedule, and learning how to say this will have to wait until tomorrow, or later.  That is very difficult for me.  I mean, why would I make something wait until tomorrow, when I am perfectly capable and willing to do it today.  Except it means I will have to work overtime.

I have done this delaying tactic this week.  I do not feel comfortable doing it, but I can do it, and with practice, it will come easier to me.

But, in reality, my employer will be losing work from me. It will be my gain of more free time and my employers loss.