7 ways to say no without feeling guilty

It is such a small word but sometimes so difficult to use. We seem to use this word so easily with our spouse and children, but we have a hard time saying it to other people.

So the trick is figuring out how and when to say no. I’m not saying you should be selfish and never help anyone. However, most people run stressed because they say yes to everyone but themselves.

You should only say yes when you really want to do something.

You feel excited at the idea of ​​doing it or it relates to your life goals or your definition of success.

You don’t need to have another date first to say no

If you have planned to have a night inside (bubble bath, reading, television, whatever …) and they ask you out, this does not automatically mean that you have to accept. A date with yourself is as important as one with other people. Value your time! Realize that when you say yes to one thing, you ALWAYS say no to another.

When this happens, you generally say no to the most important parts of your life: God, family, yourself. For example, you are asked to serve on a committee at your child’s school. You could end up so busy with committee work that you deprive your child of quality time. Another example is saying yes to everyone at work who raises money for birthdays, leaving gifts, etc., and no to your own financial future.

Don’t say yes instinctively. Buy time to think about it first.

Always check your journal before committing to plans. Or just take a deep breath. Otherwise, you end up saying yes to everything and at the end of a hectic period, you are practically exhausted.

It becomes easier to say yes the more you practice

At first, when you have to say no to something or someone, it feels terrible. But it’s incredibly empowering when you realize that you made the right decision by saying no. It is an acquired skill and the more you use your “no” muscle, the stronger it will become. I promised.

When you say yes and feel resentful, it means that you should have said no.

Learn to listen to your heart. The Bible says that we should not give reluctantly or out of obligation, and yet many of us do. We say yes and harbor deep feelings of resentment and bitterness. Nothing good comes from a resentful attitude.

Saying that it is not easier when you trust your own abilities

When you say no firmly and without a humiliating apology, you affirm your self-worth and it is a way of standing up for yourself. Men seem to do very well at this, but women seem to want to explain everything and apologize while saying no.

You don’t have to be rude or ugly about it, there are many ways to say no.

It can’t be “I can’t help you this time”, “I can only do it next month”, “That’s not my strong point” or just “no thanks”.

Make a quality decision this month to look at your schedule and see where you are saying yes to activities or commitments that don’t support your goals. Then push yourself to say no so you can say yes to more important things.