No. Two simple letters. One simple word. Yet very powerful when used at the right time. It can make or break someone’s life. It could mean success or failure. Some people dare to say no, but most don’t have the courage to say no. Why is it sometimes so difficult to say no? For many people, saying no is packed with guilt. Maybe you’re afraid of disappointing someone. Maybe you find it difficult to say no to someone you love, care or respect. But no matter the reasons, learning how to say no is an important skill for your personal and professional well-being.

Our time and energy are precious resources that we should use wisely. And that means we can’t do everything and be everywhere at the same time. Most of us like to hang out with people who have the same likes and dislikes. Yet, we end up doing something we dislike for the sake of making someone happy. We compromise on our likes and do something we dislike.

Saying no when required requires courage and self-esteem. You’ve got to be assertive when you mean no. Can you say “I’m sorry, I’m not able to come with you tomorrow; I have a lot to study and just don’t think I’m going to have time” to your best friend? Well, it takes courage to say this. You may think you sound rude, but you are just being courteous and assertive. Learn to turn someone down politely. You should know when to say no; if not, you will be a scapegoat always.

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