A cool guide to saying "No" to an invite. How are your 'no's usually?

I chose to explain that I was over-committed on blurbs. I often simply say that I’m over-committed and unfortunately need to decline. Sometimes, depending on the invitation, I’ll note that I’m even declining things I would otherwise accept. You’ll see variations on how to do this from others below, but the key her

Avoidance wasn’t an effective strategy for me, and it isn’t for you either. In the gentlest way possible, say “No, thanks, that doesn’t work for me; I’m not interested.” Or, “No, you can’t borrow my car.” Don’t waste your time and anyone else’s time hoping they will figure it out.

At other times, though, you’ll go ahead and do the undesired thing anyway, because you understand the cost and you don’t want to incur it. Notice how different that is – how different it feels – from grudgingly saying yes because you ‘feel you have no choice,’ then resenting it for days. For example, perhaps you care enough about the friend who’s a

Brief, one-line responses like “I can’t make it but thank you for the invitation” or “Thanks for thinking of me—unfortunately my hands are full with [my company] so I can’t meet right now” are more than adequate.

Brief, one-line responses like “I can’t make it but thank you for the invitation” or “Thanks for thinking of me—unfortunately my hands are full with [my company] so I can’t meet right now” are more than adequate.