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And Remember:
6. Don't say yes just to be nice. Some of us feel we have to go the extra mile to make up for the times things slipped through the cracks or when we goofed up. You don't. Compromise, and meet the other person halfway. When asked to sell raffle tickets, say, "No, I don't like doing that, but I’ll buy some." This is saying no without offending anyone.
7. You are not indispensable. The world won't come to a halt if you can't step up to the plate every time you are needed. While it is tempting to take on new responsibilities to keep things exciting, resist the urge to do so. Even if you know you'd do the best job, let someone else do it for once.
8. You can change your mind. What if you said yes, and now wish you had said no? It's OK to renege. Christina had already agreed to co-chair an important community event when unexpected responsibilities arose concerning her mother's care. When she mustered up the courage to speak to the other committee members about bowing out of the job, they understood completely—and several people volunteered to step up to take her place.
I'll be the first to admit that saying no is not easy. One thing I learned, though, is that honesty and integrity are always respected when accepting or declining a request. When you align your decisions with your values, the results are never disappointing—not to yourself, your family, or your friends.
Next: 12 Clever Ways to Decline...
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