Saying no is important. Our days naturally fill up with things to do and so we must give boundaries to our yes’s with no’s.

If that isn’t enough, it’s often easiest for us to say no to those closest to us (our families suffer because of this) and those most distant from us (not a big deal)

Two ways to say no: (From Michael Bungay Stanier)

One: Say yes more slowly. Bring curiosity to your yes and ask more questions. Delay a response and spend time considering it.

Two: Say no to the thing, not the person. Write down what is being asked and point to that and make that thing the subject of the no. Remove the ask from the person and clear say no to the thing not the person.

Our no’s matter. When we say yes to something we are ultimately saying no to other things. Get good at saying no when you need to.