No.
If I could encapsulate my learnings from 2020 it would be the use of the word ‘no’. Not that I haven’t used it before, but previously I’ve followed it with ‘I’m afraid I can’t…’ or ‘I’m sorry but…’.
Lockdown has taught me the word ‘no’ not only doesn’t need excusing, but is better not excused.
‘Can I come in with fluffy?’ ‘No.’
‘Can we register with you?’ ‘No.’
Such responses utterly derail trains of thought.
It’s like it’s given us back ownership of our professional space. This is my space. I decide whether you can enter it. And lolz, you cannot, little potential plague victim. It’s a weird reinstatement of authority.