NICE PEOPLE FEEL obliged to say yes for not wanting to appear uncooperative, difficult or unfriendly. But the question is: Do you want to give your time away so easily just because someone asks you to do something? If you really don’t have the time or desire, it’s a good idea to simply say no. Don’t worry about how the person you’re saying no to will react. Your priorities and motivations may be different from hers and there’s nothing wrong with that.

If you learn to say no comfortably and feel positive about yourself in the process, people will normally accept your answer comfortably. Here are some useful suggestions to decline a request graciously and politely.