Saying NO is hard for people. You get so caught up worrying about hurting someone’s feelings or anticipating their reactions, that you compromise yourself over and over again.
 
How many times have you gone along with something that was not a YES for you just to keep the peace or keep a friend or family member happy.
 
News flash! You’re not really keeping the peace (and the peace I’m referring to is your own) and I’d also say you’re also being a dishonest friend and/or family member.
 
Saying an honest no (or yes) ultimately means being TRUE TO YOU without worrying about what the other person may think or how they might respond. It’s about saying what’s true for you in any given moment.
 
 It’s knowing that saying NO doesn’t mean you don’t care about or love someone, it’s that you care about and love yourself first and you respect your own feelings and ultimately, yourself.
 
When you say an honest NO, it is an honest YES to you and also for the other person because they are being given the gift of hearing from the authentic you, and that is powerful.
 
The next time you know you need to say NO, but are’t quite sure how to do it, refer to this list for some great ways you can say a sincere NO. (Note: Some of these come from The Work of Byron Katie, of which I’m a trained facilitator).

1. No.
2. Thank you for asking, and no.
3. I hear what you're saying, and no.
4. I understand, and no.
5. I appreciate what I'm hearing, and no.
6. I hear you; you could be right, and no.
7. You're right, and no.
8. I hear you. I care about you, and no.
9. I understand and no. What else do you suggest?
10. Thank you for sharing that with me, and no.
11. I want to please you, and no.
12. I'm quite frightened to say no to you, please support me, and the
    answer is no for now.
13. I'm confused right now, and until I get clear, no.
14. I don't know yet. Please ask me later.
15. No, and I need your help and support on this.
16. Thank you, and no.
17. I love you, and no.
18. I love you and support your choices and no.
19. I wish I could say yes. This is a no.
20. I don’t feel this is a yes, so no.
21. I must trust myself on this, and no.
22. I understand it’s important to you, and no.
23. What you’re saying makes sense, and no.
24. It doesn’t work for me, so no.
25. I can hear how passionate you are about this and, no.
    
    

Notice how none of these options makes excuses or apologizes. “I’m sorry, and no.” is NOT one of the recommendations. There is no need to ever be sorry about saying your truly honest NO… an honest NO is a celebration of you and what you stand for and believe. No apologies or explanation is required.
  
What other ways can you think of to say No? Let me know in the comments! 
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