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Saying no effectively means being cleai anu asseitive. Theie aie multiple
ways to say no, anu you can choose how you want to uo so in any context anu
inteipeisonal ielationship. By way of example, we offei the following ten
ways to say no that iange in sentiment anu foicefulness:

1. That sounus like a ieally gieat oppoitunity, but I just cannot take on
any auuitional commitments at this time.
2. I am not comfoitable with that _____________________ (situation, task,
gioup of people involveu).
S. I feel oveiwhelmeu by seivice iight now, so I am going to have to
uecline youi geneious invitation.
4. I am in the miuule of _______________, _________________, anu ______________,
anu if I hope to get tenuie, I am unable to take on any auuitional
seivice.
S. I am not the best peison foi this. Why uon't you ask ____________________.
6. If you can finu a way to eliminate one of my existing seivice
obligations, I will consiuei youi iequest.
7. I woulu iathei say no to youi iequest than uo a halfheaiteu job on the
committee.
8. Right now, I neeu to focus on my ieseaich agenua anu publication.
When I have tenuie, I hope to be able to say yes to iequests like this
one.
9. I cannot seive on youi committee iight now. But why uon't you ask me
again next yeai.
1u. No. (Look the askei in the eye anu sit in silence.)