An updated edition of the bestselling guide!
Refusing someone is rarely easy. Often, it's downright uncomfortable. But constantly saying "yes" causes anxiety, anger, stress, regret, and feelings of powerlessness.
Social psychologist and author Dr. Susan Newman empowers you to break your debilitating yes habit with her simple techniques and insights. This new, enhanced edition is filled with research and timely scenarios that offer more ways to say "no" without feeling guilty or damaging your relationships.
You'll discover how to:
Harness the power of "No" and take back your life.
"A colossal, common, and vexing problem, which causes many other devilishly inescapable problems, is not saying 'no' before 'yes' leaps out of your mouth. In this priceless, practical, pithy volume, Dr. Susan Newman uses her wisdom, wiles, and wit to teach you-kind, nice, good, and giving person that you are-how to bow out gracefully, how to decline an offer without giving offense, and how to teach others to do the same thing. This book is a game-changer and a life saver!"-Edward Hallowell, MD, author of Driven to Distraction and other books
"If you want to be a good friend, team player, and nice person, but always seem to put yourself-and the things you want-last, THE BOOK OF NO is for you. It helps break down the stigma and guilt associated with saying no, and provides hundreds of tips for exactly how to say it in specific circumstances and relationships. You'll learn the psychology behind why you get sucked into saying yes too often and what to do to stop."-Alice Boyes, PhD, author of The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points
"Overwhelmed? Overextended? Stressed? THE BOOK OF NO is a must-read for the pushover tendency in all of us who agree to most things asked of us. Leading relationship psychologist Susan Newman explains why you say yes too often and how to say no graciously without feeling guilty or offending. Think of it as your life preserver and go-to guide for navigating relationships with your friends, family, spouse, boss, coworkers, parents, kids...even strangers. You'll want to say yes to THE BOOK OF NO and keep it close by."-Michele Borba, EdD, educational psychologist and author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World
"Does it have to be a fact of life that, as parents, it's next to impossible to say no to our children? Susan Newman guides parents out of their giving-in habit with toddlers, teens, even adult children with smart advice in situations you will recognize and relate to. If you're a 'yes' parent, you need THE BOOK OF NO to help you stand firm through your parenting journey. It's healthy for you and your kids!"-Amy McCready, author of The "Me, Me, Me" Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World
"The Book of No gives people the courage to stand up for themselves. Reading it is both helpful and a delight; you find yourself sighing with gratitude, feeling freer because you have the exact words to say 'no, ' and thinking of who else in your life needs this book."-Jody J. Foster, MD, MBA and Michelle T. Joy, MD, coauthors of The Schmuck in My Office: How to Deal Effectively with Difficult People at Work
"Sometimes you have to say no so you have time to say yes to what really matters-the things that are important to you, preserve your health, and add to your happiness. That's the powerful takeaway message from this realistic guide to kicking the 'yes' habit and embracing the power of no."-Ann Douglas, author of Parenting Through the Storm
"All too often we find ourselves overworked and overstressed because we take on too much at work or at home. In short, we have trouble saying no! Dr. Susan Newman's book is an essential guide for those of us who are too agreeable, nice, or helpful, and really don't know how to set critical limits."-Ronald E. Riggio, PhD, professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology, Claremont McKenna College
"In a world infected by instant gratification and murky boundaries, saying no-and sticking to it-is quickly becoming a lost art. The good news is that Susan Newman is here to help. Using detailed examples, humor, and actionable steps, Newman helps us explore our own obstacles to setting and maintaining healthy boundaries and empowers us to put an end to personal overload. In saying 'yes' to 'no,