Word-Of-the-Week #647: NO
December 29, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #647: NO
NO – used to express refusal, denial, disbelief, emphasis, or disagreement.
How are you holding up this Holiday Season? Do you feel like there are too many social obligations? Do you feel guilty just thinking about saying NO to someone?
This from Sarita Maybin, my good friend and fellow speaker, seemed perfect timing for this week’s WOW. She is the author of “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What Do You Say?”
Say NO Nicely
My favorite ways to say NO fall into the three categories below. Choose the phrases–or a combination of phrases–that work best for you! (Note: Avoid making excuses)
- Compliment + NO
- “I appreciate your thinking of me; however I’m going to opt out.”
- “Thanks for the opportunity; however I’m not able to pursue it.”
- “This sounds like a great project, yet I won’t be able to participate.
- “I’m flattered that you’d ask me out, but I’m going to pass.”
- “Thank you, but my plate is full.”
- Empathy + NO
- “I know you need help with this, however I’m not available.”
- “I wish I could assist you, however I’m not able to.”
- “I’m not able to attend, but would love to help in another way.”
- “I know you’re swamped with work, unfortunately I’m not able to help.”
- “You’ve worked hard on this committee; however I won’t be able to join.”
- “Choose” to say NO
- “I’ve chosen to pass on that offer.”
- “That’s not on my radar right now.”
- “That doesn’t work for me.”
- “I’m not feelin’ it.”
- “It’s not calling me.”
(By the way, category #3 also works well when someone replies with WHY!??? You say: “That just doesn’t work for me.” or “I’m just not feelin’ it.”)
Guilt-Free YES
- If you must say YES, do it without guilt…set conditions and parameters that work for you!
- “I’d be happy to get that info to you, if can wait until tomorrow”
- “Boss, I’d love to get that project done for you. Please let me know its priority in relation to the other assignments”
- “I’ll get that done for you as soon as I finish what I’m working on.”
This week’s focus is on saying NO nicely. How comfortable is it for you to say NO? How many times have you wished you said NO and didn’t? Can you see yourself saying NO without any guilt?
For more information on saying NO nicely, read Chapter 5: An Offer You Can Refuse, in Sarita’s book “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say?”
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
FUN-video: Last BIG Fat Vacation – Movie Trailer
December 27, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-video: Last BIG Fat Vacation – Movie Trailer
We have now officially made it to all of the New 7 Wonders of the World…and 19 out of the 21 that were vying for that title.
- In addition…we visited a total of 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites…with our modes of transportation including: 1 elephant – 2 camel carts – 2 horse carts – 3 rickshaws – 4 jeep safaris – 1 boat safari – 1 houseboat – 1 live aboard – 1 river cruise – 5 lake boats – more than 2500 kilometers driven – 9 international flights – 17 domestic flights…and it took 50+ hours to get home.
Thank god the bucket list is almost done!
- Here’s a little snippet of the trip from over 5 hours of edited video. Enjoy!
FUN-photos: FUN-travel: Amazing Maldives Atolls – 7 Splendid Days
December 26, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: FUN-travel: Amazing Maldives Atolls – 7 Splendid Days
- To quote Chris, “An island… is an island…is an island…I mean how many can look at…before they all become a blur?” The best part was under the water… and I got that on my GoPro…just for the record…this trip was on my BLBC (Bucket List Before Chris).
And why a live aboard dive yacht… if we don’t even dive? Because we wanted to SEE the Maldives…not sit at a resort…we have that at home.
- And the great thing was…by being in different locations every day…we got to see a whole lot of fish. Well I did…since Chris doesn’t snorkel…and I got a total of 12 in 6 days… including my first ever night snorkel…with nurse sharks. And to top that off… we got to sit comfortably on the back of the boat…while the Manta Rays surfaced in a feeding frenzy!
All in all I have to say…saving the Maldives for last was brilliant…as it was so relaxing… and the environment was the polar opposite… of the prior crazy & chaotic 6 weeks!
FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2
December 26, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2
20 Days – Nagerhole National Park…for more safari…Chikmagalur…and temple touring…Historical Hampi…with its Rocks and Ruins…Aurangabad and the Elaborate Ellora & Amazing Ajanta Caves… carved out of solid rock hillsides…Multi Cultural Cochin…called the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”…Kerala…land of Coconuts & Curry…on a Heavenly Houseboat for a backwaters cruise…Picturesque Periyar National Park…Magnificent Madurai Monuments…and Marvelous Mamallapuram…for more monolithic… Indian rock-cut architecture.
FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 1
December 24, 2016 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 1
- We covered a lot of territory…from the tippy top in the Himalayas…and ending … at the very end… literally! …in the city of Trivandrum.
First 22 Days – Bustling Bombay…our Himalayan high…Dizzying Delhi… Awesome Agra with its Majestic Taj Mahal and Red Fort Complex…Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary…Rathambore Reserve… in search of the ever elusive tigers…which remained just that…Jaipur Palaces…Pushkar Camel Fair…Commanding Kumbhalgarh Fort… Jain Temple Treat…Unbelievable Udaipur…and Very Sacred – Very Special – Varanasi…where we celebrated Dev Dewali on the Ganges.
