Relationships · Assertiveness
'No' Scripts for People-Pleasers
Short, warm, complete sentences
'No' without a story is a skill people-pleasers rarely have. Rehearse short, warm, complete-sentence versions and the muscle grows.
Warm no ('That won't work for me, thank you for thinking of me.')
Delayed no ('I need to check my week and get back to you.')
Values no ('I've stopped saying yes to weekend commitments — I need the rest.')
Broken-record no (repeat, calmly, no new content)
The one I'll use this week — and to whom