CHAPTER 9
How to say ‘NO’
Being able to say ‘NO’ whenever you choose to, comfortably, requires two characteristics. The first is a thick skin. Saying ‘NO’ can elicit an adverse reaction, no matter how well you do it. If you do it well, a common reaction is envy: people can be jealous of your ability to say ‘NO’ effectively.
However, the most important thing to bear in mind is that, while saying ‘yes’ will make you popular, it will not always win you respect. If you go back to the meaning of NO, a Noble Objection, it will help you to remember this important distinction and make saying ‘NO’ as comfortable as possible.
The second characteristic you need is a relentless focus on what is important to you. You only have one life, so you need the wisdom ...
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