gtag('config', 'AW-434297196');
top of page

❌ Saying 'NO' isn't negative—it's necessary! 


An important aspect of being assertive is your ability to say no to requests that you don’t want to meet. 


Saying no means that you set limits on other people’s demands for your time and energy when such demands conflict with your own needs and desires. 

It also means that you can do this without feeling guilty.


If you're having difficulty saying no, give yourself some time to think and clarify what you want to say before responding to someone's request.Use phrases like:


  • "I'll let you know by the end of the week."

  • "I'll call you tomorrow morning after sleeping on it."


Stop Over-Apologizing

When you apologise for saying no, you imply that your needs are less important, which can invite others to pressure you or exploit your guilt.

After saying no, you might feel the need to offer help in another way. Pause before doing so. Make sure your offer is genuine and not guilt-driven.


Mastering the art of saying no means letting go of guilt. For example:


  • "Sorry, I can't help with the event this week."



Source:The anxiety & Phobia Workbook-Edmund J. Bourne

Photo by Angèle Kamp on Unsplash

Comments


bottom of page