How To Say No (Without Being An Arsehole) We aim to please, and so saying "no" to a request can be a hard thing to do. We don't like to introduce negativity into the conversation, cause a possible confrontation, or have someone think less of us because we don't agree. That said, it's often important to turn things down. We can't do it all. Here's how you can say no to just about anything without being an arsehole. If you're reading this post you probably have a problem saying no -- the same problem I used to have until I learned how wonderful not helping people can be. But in all seriousness, saying no is about respecting your own time and making sure you're not spreading yourself too thin. Helping people can be great, but if you say yes to everyone who asks you'll never be able to do it all. You also may find that you're frequently taking on tasks you don't enjoy. This isn't good for anyone, because you're not going to do your best when you're unhappy. (Also, you probably don't like being unhappy.) If you say "yes" too much and "no" too little, you're probably aware of these issues. But how do you stop? You just need a little forethought and a little confidence in yourself. Here's what worked for me, plus a handful suggestions from your fellow readers as well. Understand Your Situation to Avoid the Guilt of Saying "No" When you're confronted with a