The art of saying no
Saying no is an important skill
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Boosts your productivity by prioritizing your needs
You need to attend to your own needs before attending to the needs of others
By saying no they will have a greater respect for you and your time
Assertiveness is a skill
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It’s the confidence to express your needs and wants in the face of opposition
As you become more assertive, you’ll be more comfortable at sharing opinions and
saying no
How to say No without feeling guilty
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We say yes because we don’t want to offend, disappoint, or sound selfish
How they feel is not your responsibility, and self-care isn’t selfish
Why is it so difficult to say no?
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We want to help others, but it can get addicting.
We struggle with low self-esteem which makes us believe that our time is worth less
than others’ time
We don’t want to offend anyone
How to say No without feeling bad
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Be direct, honest, and candid.
Don’t stall, because you’re holding out hope and it makes you look indecisive
Say “no” without saying “no”
Other ways of saying No
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Don’t make excuses
Take ownership of your decision
Ask them to follow up later in case you have time
Don’t lie about availability
Offer an alternative
Suggest someone more qualified than you
How to say no to family
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Be clear about your dislikes, opinions, and beliefs
Draw boundaries that they respect
If saying no to your children, stand your ground and don’t take back your answer
How to say no to friends
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Don’t wait until you’re frustrated with them to say no
A true friend will understand and respect your boundaries
How to say no to coworkers
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Be assertive (#2)
How to say no to your boss
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Be clear about your availability
Ask questions about what’s needed from you for this new task
Ask to have your workload reprioritized so you can focus on this
If nothing works, ask if it can be postponed
How to say no to your clients
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Saying no isn’t a sign of unprofessionalism but shows that you know your limits
Give a legitimate reason
Offer an alternative or a referral
How to say no to strangers
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Realize that you’re not obligated to help strangers
Don’t be afraid to say you’re uncomfortable
Stay true to your boundaries
How to say no to yourself
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Don’t let temptation distract you from your goals
Understand these things and make “I don’t” statements
Ex. I don’t sleep in