PuppetConf 2015

A little finesse goes a long way when you start saying no to unreasonable clients, low pay or other things that are unlikely help your career or increase your happiness in the long run. Not every job, module or meeting is going to lead to more of the kinds of opportunities you want. Figuring out how to say no gracefully, helps you build and maintain good formal and informal relationships. Some verbal self-defense can help keep you from get "voluntold" or otherwise stuck with work that you really shouldn't be doing. Clarifying your project or company's larger goals can help you narrow the scope of tasks that seem to have no real finish line so you can get them off your plate in a timely fashion.