Four words that can change your life.
 

Instead of making excuses, feeling being put on the spot, being roped into something, feeling like a doormat, always compromising, learn to say these four words:

I don't want to.

It's super hard to say them the first few times but boy does it feel good! And it's a shuter upper for any comeback. Practice on your kids first if you feel you can't get the nerve to say it to others just yet. :o

You're right! I tried saying this about a year ago and it worked. Whenever necessary, I say it again and again. I've gained a lot more personal time to do what I want to do!

It only takes one word ............... NO!

You shouldn't feel you have to give any reasons for your decisions.

Aquot, that I came across a few years ago, on this matter ...
"Saying no, is saying yes to yourself!"

I only wish I knew who to give credit to these empowering words.

It works when girls start dating, too! LOL!

I have a book "When I Say No, I Feel Guilty". I could never say NO to anything someone wanted me to do and if I did, I worried myself silly about why I said NO. My doctor told me to read this book to help with the guilt feelings. I still haven't conquered the guilt completely but I am able to say NO more often now.

One could use only one word as well--No! But it sounds harsh doesn't it. I have learned, though, to say no, but then I soften it with giving a very brief reason why I can't any more.

hmmm, does that work better than saying "I can't"? I'll have to try that the next time I really can't do something!

We should not let others determine our feeling. Remember you are in control of your feelings. Saying NO is all the answer needed.

I can say No very easley! I found a sign for my sewing roonm it says
I don't want to
I don't have to
you can't make me
I'M RETIRED!

Words I now live by! LOL

My girlfriend says "I'm not so sure that would work for me"...or some variation. I think it's a most charming way to turn down even the most aggressive and annoying.

I agree for some reason women think saying no is a bad work. I'm really getting good at that. Working on an email to resign as a Sunday School teacher after more than 35 years. When I first said I was resigning I heard who would do it. Well it's time someone else did it. The joy is no longer there! Time to find something else-

boy..if only....sadly the grown up in me does not allow me to say these things...sigh...

A grown up should have the comfort to say NO, when that's what they mean/
A grown up should not feel they have to do things, just to please others, to keep up with the Jones', or because it looks good.
A grown up should do things because they want to, care to, wish to, and with sincerity.

.... and when saying no, there's no reason to feel you have to justify it or explain it to others. You have your reason(s) and that's all that matters.

Funny my kids never had any trouble saying. " I don't want to" LOL
Yes I learned and now its hard for people to understand I really mean it. I do not want to cook for others , I don't even want to cook for myself. I do not want to entertain people anymore. Don't want to go out for the most part. I like being with just me and my dog . HIM I understand. LOL

No works for me. Crying and tantrums are my second choice.

I don't want to - but then you get, "WHY don't you want to?" and other attempts at persuasion.

I've never gotten a why? response when I say I don't want to. I guess it's how I say it. When I do get the why not? I just say It doesn't interest me. Another good reply when asked to do something is You'll have to find someone else to do that. I usually tell them the name of someone that has irked me lately for them to go ask. LOL

response - because I don't want to do that. You don't need another reason.

good advice. it's taken me most of my life to drop anyone who attacks me for something I didn't do, but I've done it twice now. still bothers me but I'm better off for it, I know. just hard. me and my conscience!!

Oh I wanna watch, lol.

I have to use the "No" concept the next time my GF will tell me that she is coming to visit. She doesn't take no for an answer. So I have been practicing: DH and I decided that our house is simply too small to accommodate house guests. Now I am prepared for the next time she calls.

I've found that 'sorry, I can't. I have I have other plans. OR as I told my daughter when she wanted to borrow money, "You don't know how much I'd like to, but I can't". Felt soo good!

I sometimes think that as women and mothers were afraid to say No at times because we're afraid of hurting someone elses feelings regardless of what it does to us. I know I'm guilty of it myself I'm always worried I'll hurt someone's feelings. If DH has a party to go to of one of our closest friends even if I'm exhausted I'll say fine we'll go if nothing else to make an appearance. I'm afraid of hurting his or their feelings by not going, although since my back surgery I'm starting to say No now because I'm the one that suffers for the next 3 days for going out when my body wasn't up to it.

I say "Sorry,That doesnt work for me"... cmaras

my former daugher in law was always asking me to do things for her she is the mom to my grand son and she has a new son with her new husband so the children came as aset when i finally told her i cant do it any more she hasnt spoken o me in 2 months i hate it when my husband is right lol thanl goodness my son has shared custody or i would probably never see the little guy thanks for listening

Saying "I'm not so sure..." opens up a line for arguement. Just say no!

I understand needing to say no...I was raised to be a people pleaser...however, now that I am older...I find it a blessing to help others. Not the "users" out there...those who don't ask often are the ones in need. Balance is the trick for me.

I always say "That won't work for me".....I heard it on GMA once. It works!

I will try to take some of that to heart, as I too have a hard time saying no, then get mad at myself for saying yes!!

I retired this last June but promised my supervisor that I would sub. Mainly because I really liked her and know the stress she goes through to find a sub. Well, I like being retired and finally learned to say "I don't think so" or just plain "Not this time, thank you for thinking of me." However, I will be subbing for three days this week at less than 1/3 of my salary when I was full time! What was I thinking?????

I always say "I would love to!!!!! However I can't" Then I walk away or change the subject. I told my husband a few years ago, 'I did what everybody else wanted me to do for the first 45 years of my life, I will do what I want to do for the next 45 years.' And I've stuck to it for the most part.

After years of volunteering and reaching out to others for help (and being told "NO"..and saying "OK maybe you will be able to help next time.") I finally said "NO" and not only did the lady argue with me, she called back several times to see if I would change my mind! All that did was make me more sure I would not do what she asked! Don't get me wrong, I still volunteer but I am more selective now.