1 . “Yes, that’s fine.” But what if it isn’t? What if the minute you said those words, you started to feel ________, and knew you should be saying no?

This happens to a lot of us. Maybe we were________to be nice and kind and think that means we should always do what someone ________of us. Or maybe we are worried that the person will ________us, if it is a personal relationship, or not give us any more work if it’s a(n)________one.

But saying no does not make you a(n) ________or unhelpful person. ________ work, any employer would rather you say no than________to take on something that you don’t really have time to do well.

If you find yourself agreeing almost against your________, get into the habit of always asking for time to think about it. This will give you the opportunity to really________ if it is something you want or need to do. If you are worried about________ someone, question how realistic those thoughts really are. Nine times out of ten, they are about your own________. If you think there really is a ________ in saying no, then you could try making an offer “I really can’t help you with X, but I could do Y.”

Sometimes people advise you not to give any reasons for a(n) ________, but I personally don’t feel very comfortable with that. ________ , be careful about making up excuses ________what you really mean is that you don’t want to do something. The other person might counter by asking if you can do the________at a different time.

Remember that you are probably ________near as indispensable (不可缺少的) as you think you are. It is nice to feel ________, but is it worth________ yourself and feeling stressed and even ill?