I have listed seventeen ways here to say "no". Don't let me put the
words in your mouth. Take the ones you like, change them around and you use the
words that are comfortable for you. The point is, if you are ever in a position
when you can never say "no", then you are always saying
"yes", and like the song says, "If you don't stand for something,
you will fall for everything".
Try these:
"I'm sorry. That's not a priority for me right now."
"I can't help you on this now, but I can get to it next week. Would that
be okay?"
"I have so much on my plate now I don't know when I can get to it. But I
do know someone over here who can help you now."
"Before I take this on for you, let me show you a few things so that you
might be able to do it yourself."
"I have made so many commitments to others, it would be unfair to them
and you if I took on anything more at this point."
"If I can't give you a ride to the school dance on Friday, how else
would you get there safely?"
"I don't know how soon I can help you on this, but I will get back to
you as soon as I am free to help you."
"I'm sure we're close enough that when I say "no" you'll
understand it's for a good reason."
"Sure I can help you with your request as long as we both agree and
understand that the item I agreed to do for you yesterday is going to have to
wait."
"Before I take this over from you, what do you think we ought to do
about it?"
"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I sure can do that
for you. The bad news is, I'm so overloaded with everything else, I've become
delirious and have been lying about my commitments."
"When I get overwhelmed like I am now, I remove every third person who
asks me for something, from my "Good Friends List" and the second
person just left."
"No."
"Thanks for thinking to ask me, but, no thanks."
"I would like to help you out on this but you understand I don't have
the resources available to do the right job for you."
"Now that's the type of thing I would love to help you on if only I had
the time."
"Just like you, I get overloaded sometimes and have to tell some very
special people, "no". This is one of those times."
And as you speak, smile.
Copyright 2001, Dr. Donald Wetmore Dr. Donald E. Wetmore is
a professional speaker and president of Productivity Institute Time Management
Seminars, 60 Huntington St., P.O. Box 2126 Shelton, CT 06484 (800) 969-3773
(203) 929-9902
Email: ctsems@juno.com
Web: http://www.balancetime.com