20 Ways to Tell Someone "No" - By Ramona Creel

Tell me if this sounds familiar -- someone asks you to do something that you really don't want to do or you honestly don't have time for. It might be a church bake sale, a school fundraiser, participating on a committee, or even just working late. But you feel like you will let the other person down if you say no. You feel GUILTY already, and you haven't even responded yet! So you say, "Sure," even though doing so is going to put you under tremendous stress and PRESSURE. You know that you will probably end up resenting this activity, and maybe even ducking some of your responsibilities because your heart's just not in it, but you go ahead and agree anyway.

Why are we so afraid to tell people "no"? For some reason, we have been taught that "no" is DISRESPECTFUL -- and even insulting. We seem to value other people's time more than our own -- feeling that we need to bend over backward to accommodate others, even if it inconveniences us. I know we're atoning for the "me" 1980's, but let's be reasonable! "No" is actually one of the healthiest words that can come out of your mouth. When you tell someone "no," you are really saying that you understand and accept your own LIMITS, and don't want to do a shoddy job by overwhelming yourself. That you value your time and priorities and aren't willing to take away from the truly important things in your life. A little selfishness is necessary, if you want to maintain a balanced and sane life!

So how do you say "no" without insulting the other person, feeling consumed with guilt, or hurting your own credibility? We need to find a way to say "no" without dragging up all of those HIDDEN FEARS -- they'll think I'm lazy or selfish, that I have no career drive, that I'm not ambitious, that I have no concern for other people. And it's time to give up all of those roles you're so proud of -- supermom, martyr, hero -- but are keeping you from finding true peace. Once you've accepted that you have the right (and often responsibility) to turn someone down, you can do it in a way that doesn't seem like a REJECTION. Let me show you how:

1. "I CAN'T RIGHT NOW, BUT I CAN DO IT LATER"

If you really want to help the person but don't have time now, tell them so. Offer a later time or date -- if they can't wait for you they will find someone else.

2. "I'M REALLY NOT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON FOR THE JOB"

If you don't feel that you have adequate skills to take on a task, that's okay. It's better to admit your limitations up front than feel overwhelmed down the road.

3. "I JUST DON'T HAVE ANY ROOM IN MY CALENDAR RIGHT NOW"

Be honest if your schedule is filled -- and "filled" doesn't have to mean really FILLED! It just means you have scheduled as much as you are willing and you're stopping.

4. "I CAN'T, BUT LET ME GIVE YOU THE NAME OF SOMEONE WHO CAN"

If you aren't available to help out, offer another qualified resource. Professionals do this all the time when they refer a client to a colleague.

5. "I HAVE ANOTHER COMMITMENT"

And it doesn't matter what that commitment is. It could be a meeting or a dentist appointment or a day in the park with your kid. The point is, you aren't available.

6. "I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF SEVERAL PROJECTS AND CAN'T SPARE THE TIME"

Let people know when you have already accepted other responsibilities -- no one is going to fault you for having already filled your plate.

7. "I'VE HAD A FEW THINGS COME UP AND I NEED TO DEAL WITH THOSE FIRST"

Unexpected things happen that throw your schedule off -- it happens. So accept that you may need to make a few adjustments until your life stabilizes again.

8. "I WOULD RATHER DECLINE THAN END UP DOING A MEDIOCRE JOB"

Knowing that you aren't able to deliver a quality product -- for whatever reason -- is reason enough for turning a request down.

9. "I'M REALLY FOCUSING MORE ON MY PERSONAL AND FAMILY LIFE RIGHT NOW"

People act ashamed of wanting to spend time with their families -- like it means they don't have goals. Having a strong family is a goal in and of itself!

10. "I'M REALLY FOCUSING MORE ON MY CAREER RIGHT NOW"

The reverse is true also -- you may have to give up some civic or community duties to focus your energies on a work-related task (and that's fine, too!)

11. "I REALLY DON'T ENJOY THAT KIND OF WORK"

Who said you were supposed to enjoy your chores and assignments?! Well, if you don't enjoy them, why do them? Life isn't about drudgery and boredom.

12. "I CAN'T, BUT I'M HAPPY TO HELP OUT WITH ANOTHER TASK"

If someone asks you to do something you really despise, refuse -- but then offer to help with something you find more enjoyable or stimulating.

13. "I'VE LEARNED IN THE PAST THAT THIS REALLY ISN'T MY STRONG SUIT"

Another way of admitting your limitations. Did you know that actually makes you stronger? Knowing what you can handle and what you can't is a tremendous talent!

14. "I'M SURE YOU WILL DO A WONDERFUL JOB ON YOUR OWN"

Many times, people ask for help because they doubt their own abilities. Let the other person know that you have confidence that they will succeed.

15. "I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THAT, SO I CAN'T HELP YOU"

Volunteering to help out shouldn't mean that you have to learn an entirely new set of skills. Offer to help out with something you already know how to do.

16. "I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THAT"

You might be uncomfortable with the people involved, the type of work, the moral implications -- this is a very respectful way to avoid a sticky situation.

17. "I HATE TO SPLIT MY ATTENTION AMONG TOO MANY PROJECTS"

Let people know that you want to do a good job for them -- but that you can't when your focus is too divided or splintered.

18. "I'M COMMITTED TO LEAVING SOME TIME FOR MYSELF IN MY SCHEDULE"

Selfish, selfish, selfish! But in a good way! Treat your personal time like any other appointment -- block it off in your calendar and guard it with your life!

19. "I'M NOT TAKING ON ANY NEW PROJECTS RIGHT NOW"

You aren't saying that you will never help out again -- just that you feel your schedule is as full as you would like right now.

20. "NO"

Sometimes it's okay just to say no! Just make sure that you say it in a way that expresses respect and courtesy -- that leaves the door open for good relations.

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Best Ways to improve yourself Everyday

How to Achieve Self-improvement
The first thing you need to do is to decide what kind of improvement you’re looking for: do you like to enhance your level of confidence? Would you want to improve your career or relationship with your loved ones or even a potential partner?
It’s normal to seek improvement in all parts of your life. However, it’s best if you can concentrate your efforts one at a time. So choose your main priority among them.
When you have already determined what aspect of your life you wish to develop more, you can the implement the following strategies:
Do meditation. Meditation is a very simple process that can unlock a heap of benefits to you. In fact, it’s the ultimate secret of the happiest person in the world. It’s also used by Buddhist monks, which allow them to achieve contentment and peace despite lacking a lot of material resources.
Meditation helps clear your mind from unnecessary thoughts through proper breathing exercises. It can also relax your muscles and nerves, as well as boost your immune system. It can also help secrete serotonin, which can create happier moods. You will be able to sleep well too.
Make use of subliminal messages. Subliminal messages are known as auto-suggestions. The subliminal messages are delivered straight to your subconscious mind, which is much deeper than the conscious mind. When you learn to tap them, it would be much easier for you to change your thought pattern. You can overpower your negative thoughts and emotions with something positive. They can also bring about a huge amount of motivation. Take a look at some samples of subliminal messages:
• I am an excellent creation.
• I have a beautiful life.
• I have so much to live for.
• I am surrounded by love and care.
• I can be who I want myself to be.
• I have the ability to meet and create my own destiny.

Perform visualization techniques. A lot of the blockages you experiences have very deep causes. For instance, your fear of meeting up new people may have sprung from your childhood memory when you have been rejected by neighborhood kids. Visualization allows you to go back in time, so you can understand what happened. It will then compel you to make some changes to the scenario, so you can discover that you actually have the ability to change the meaning of the experience to you.
There’s no such thing as obtaining the pinnacle of self-improvement. It will always remain to be a continuous process. Moreover, you cannot expect these strategies to work all the time. However, you should not despair and quit. Persevere and be patient.