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Sometimes saying No is easy. But recent discussions in my Mastermind group remind me that finding the right words to say No can trip us up. And without the right words, we sometimes say Yes when we don't mean it, causing stress, frustration and bad feelings.

In our group, we brainstormed a lot of ways to say No, depending on the given circumstances and what type of No we wanted to give. Here are some suggestions. While these are business-related, you can modify them for personal use as well:

When No means: No

• I can't take on your project at this time

• I'm not accepting any new clients

• I'm not comfortable doing what you're asking

• I'm not willing to do what you're asking

• I'm not the right person for the job

• I have other commitments that prevent me from doing this

• We have a policy in our business that we don't do that

• My schedule is so busy and I'm committed to work/life balance

• Right now my priority is X and everything else I'm declining

• I'm not able to take on that type of responsibility

• Our original agreement was for X; I'm not willing to change that agreement mid-stream

• I have an appointment that I can't reschedule

• I want to spend more time doing (fill in the blank)

• I don't enjoy that work

• My decision is final

• I won't go

When No means: I can't do X, but I can offer Y instead 

• I'm not comfortable doing X, but I'm available to do Y within certain parameters

• I'm not really qualified to do this work, but I can recommend an excellent person who might be able to help you

• I'd rather work on Y

• I'd rather do it this way than the way you are suggesting

• I can't do this myself, but I can ask my assistant to do it for you as long as it only takes 30 minutes like you promised

• That's too little money for this type of work, how about Y?

When No means: I can't do it now, but I can do it later

• I'm not accepting any new clients until September

• Can we schedule this for next week instead?

• I’m booked solid for August

• This Wednesday is really bad for me

• I don't work on Fridays

• I need to leave work by 5:00

And, of course, there's the always-useful, plain old fashioned No. As in, Just Say No. Without preamble, without excuses, without guilt.

(This works very well on large orange cats who like to sit on top of your paperwork while you're trying to work…except if it's dinnertime.)
 

copyright © 2008, Karyn Greenstreet.

Sounding Authentic: Voice Strategies to Connect, Communicate and Inspire begins August 5

Attention Coaches, Consultants, and Speakers:

Learn to tap into the real source of your power and reflect that power in your voice. Be more effective on the phone and in person.

In this five-week teleclass you will:

• Understand the importance of your voice and how it affects every level of your communication.

• Discover how the knowledge of the four stages of learning will help you reclaim missing aspects of your voice.

• Recognize why your emotions affect your voice and how to work with them, not against them.

• Use all your senses to create a memorable picture of your powerful voice so you can command it in any situation.

• Enlist your other-than-conscious mind to help you achieve your voice goals.

• Experience the power of silence and the three levels of listening.

This five-week teleclass begins August 5.

For more details and to register:

http://www.passionforbusinesslearning.com/sounding/

Classes will be recorded, so if you miss a session, you will be able to download the audio recording of the live class and listen to it at your leisure.
 

The Art of Networking and Referrals - Free Audio and Transcript

Get a free copy of our 1-hour audio program, plus a written transcript of "The Art of Networking and Referrals," plus a free subscription to our ezine. To get a copy for yourself:

http://www.passionforbusiness.com/news.htm

Warmly,

Karyn Greenstreet, Self Employment Expert and Small Business Coach

Passion For Business, LLC

"Empowering The Self-employed to Succeed"

www.PassionForBusiness.com

www.PassionForBusinessLearning.com

Motivational Quotes Sure To Move You

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.

--Harriet Braiker

There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.

--Harold Stephens

To be healthy, wealthy, happy and successful in any and al ar3eas of your life you need to be aware that you need to think healthy, wealthy, and happy and successful thoughts twenty-four hours a day and cancel all negative, destructive, fearful and unhappy thoughts. These two types of thought cannot coexist if you want to share in the abundance that surrounds us all.

--Sydney Madwed

Walking your talk is a great way to motivate yourself. No one likes to live a lie. Be honest with yourself, and you will find the motivation to do what you advise others to do.

--Vince Poscente

All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail. That is the talisman, the formula, the command of right about face which turns us from failure to success.

--Dorthea Brande

Set your sights high, the higher the better. Expect the most wonderful things to happen, not in the future but right now. Realize that nothing is too good. Allow absolutely nothing to hamper you or hold you up in any way.

--Eileen Caddy

Success demands focus. It is the hallmark of all truly great people. Your ability to get and remain focused or lack thereof is perhaps the key determinant of your success.

--Gary Ryan Blair