Saying No With Style To Family

Verbal or By Email:

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• I’d love to _________ (go with you, help, do…), however this week (month) is already over-committed. I am available _________ if you can post-pone?

• No thank you, I simply don’t have the bandwidth for that right now. Thank you for thinking of me, I love that.

• I am already over committed for this (that) month, but thank you for asking.

• I would like to participate in this in the future, but currently _________ is taking up the majority of my time.

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Saying No With Style To Colleagues / Bosses

Verbal Or By Email:

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• Oh goodness, I’d love to help. But my plate is already completely full. Maybe you could ask _________.

• I wish I could, but I am already over-committed. Let’s meet again next week (month), on _________ day to see if I have any additional wiggle room.

• Let me check my schedule, I’ll get back to you within 24 (48) hrs to let you know if I will be able to assist you with _________.

• Sorry, I don’t work weekends. Weekends are reserved for family, rest and play. Thank you for asking.

 

Saying No With Style To friends

Verbal Or By Email:

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• Thank you for thinking of me, ordinarily, I’d love to do _________. Unfortunately, I am already over committed with _________ currently. I hope you have a great time (or, let’s get something on the books for _________ (next month, 2 months, next week, if you are actually interested in meeting up)

 

Saying No With Style To A Boss / Team Member

Verbal Or By Email:

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• Thanks for thinking of me for this project. I have no extra bandwidth to take on an extra project right now. I can email you a list of my current priorities in order of highest to least critical. Then, I’d be happy to re-prioritize, after you let me know which priority(s) you’d like me to remove or delegate to fit this one in.

• Hi _________, thanks for thinking of me for this project. I have no extra bandwidth to take on an extra project. Here is a list (very short and bulleted) of my current priorities in order of highest to least critical. I’d be happy to re-prioritize, just let me know which priority(s) you’d like me to remove or delegate to fit this one in.

• I appreciate your trust, I am however on tight deadlines for other, high priority projects and don’t feel comfortable committing to anything else at this time.

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Good luck saying NO with style. Remember, when you say NO, you are actually saying YES to yourself, rest, free time, family or dates / time with your sweetie!