The Top Ten Worst Ways
to Say “No”:
Ten: Isn’t it my turn next month?
You’ve got an expectation here that the
asker will let you off the hook. Even if you’re correct, the asker may still want you to do this
month too.
Nine:
I think I hear the teakettle.
Delay isn’t a bad tactic but unless you can whistle be straightforward and tell the asker
you will get back to them tomorrow.
Eight: I’m not sure I’m the best person for the job.
The asker will think you’re begging for
a compliment. She wouldn’t be asking if she didn’t think you were the perfect solution to her
problem.
Seven: How can you ask me to do that?
Answer: Easy
Six:
Sarah’s so much better at this.
It may be true but she hasn’t gotten around to asking Sarah.
And why should she with easy-going you on the phone.
Five: My
arthritis is so bad today.
Tea and sympathy you’ll get. Off the hook…no. “You
sound just fine to me,” the asker responds.
Four: I’m
so tired.
Ditto.
Three: I’m so busy.
Ditto.
Two: I’ll pray about it.
Not a good idea…unless
you’re praying for the courage to say “no”.
One:
YES!
So may women mistakenly believe that this is a version of “NO”. It actually
means the opposite. If everything in us is saying “no” and “yes” slips out of our
lips, it will call indigestion, anxiety, and eventually depression. We need to match out inside answer
with what comes out of our mouths.
The
Top Ten Best Ways to Say “No”:
Ten: NO
(No explanations)
Nine: NO (No diversions)
Eight:
NO (No excuses)
Seven:
NO (No suggestions)
Six: NO (No whimpering)
Five: NO (No lying)
Four:
NO (No beating around the bush)
Three: NO
(No pleas for understanding)
Two: NO (No pleas for mercy)
One:
NO (No…period!)
