The Power of Saying No (And How to Say It Without Actually Saying It)

I like to remind my Certified OBM® students: “Saying yes to others, all too frequently means saying no to yourself.” 

How often do we feel pressured to say yes when, deep down, we know we don’t have the time, energy, or even the desire? 

Learning how to say no is one of the most empowering tools you can give yourself, both personally and professionally.

When we say no, we’re not being difficult or unhelpful; we’re protecting our time, energy, and boundaries. Boundaries are more than just rules—they’re an act of self-care. They give us strength, safety, and help set expectations with others. Without boundaries, we risk overcommitting, burning out, and ultimately failing to show up in the ways that matter most.

But saying no doesn’t always have to be direct or confrontational. There are many ways to say no without actually saying it—whether you're in a work setting, with friends, or even with clients. 

The Strength in Boundaries

Boundaries are essential in any relationship, and they’re particularly crucial in professional settings. Setting and maintaining boundaries helps others understand how you operate, what you will and won’t tolerate, and it prevents miscommunication or misunderstandings down the line. 

There’s real strength in being clear about your limits. A boundary isn’t a brick wall, but more like a well-marked path—it gives others a clear understanding of where they can walk alongside you and where the line is drawn.

For example, when working with clients, establishing boundaries upfront in a contract can set expectations for communication, availability, and the level of support you offer. You don’t have to wait until a boundary is crossed to say no—set it before it becomes an issue. 

On that note, I recently had the pleasure of discussing these very concepts with Jean Langford, Mindset Coach and Psychotherapist (who supports my Thrive OBM Academy Students), in a live video called "Harnessing the Power of Saying No." Jean brilliantly broke down the psychological aspects of boundary-setting and how saying no is tied to our self-worth and mental well-being. 

If you would like access to a recording of that conversation, simply message us [email protected] we’ll be happy to send that to you.

Below I’ve given you some examples scenarios and professional ways to say NO without actually saying NO. 

Following on from that, and for giggles only, (and of course not for use in a professional conversation) I’ve created a little list of funny ways to say no - the only reason being, to make you smile!

Saying No Scenario 1 - Your client wants to call you on your personal number outside of agreed working hours (or has been)

Example response  1: "I’d love to help, but let’s stick to our agreed hours for communication. This allows me to give your project the attention it deserves when I’m fully available."

Example response 2: "To keep our workflow smooth and avoid any missed details, let’s keep communication on our regular channels during working hours. I’ll respond as soon as I’m available."

Example response 3: "I try to keep my personal time separate to recharge, so please reach out via email or our usual communication tool during work hours, and I’ll get back to you promptly."

Saying No Scenario 2 -  Your client wants you to take on a project that you could do, but it’s not part of your agreed work and/or you just don’t want to take it on

Example response 1: "That sounds like an interesting project, but it’s outside of our current agreement. If you’d like, we can discuss a separate contract to accommodate this work."

Example response 2: "I appreciate you thinking of me for this, but I’m focused on our existing priorities right now. Let’s revisit once we've wrapped up our current projects."

Example response 3: "I can see how this is important for you, but it’s not something I can take on at the moment. If you need help finding someone to assist, I’d be happy to refer someone."

Saying No Scenario 3 -  Your client has sent you work to do, but they haven’t paid their invoice yet

Option 1: "I’ve received the new work, but before I can move forward, we’ll need to clear up the outstanding invoice. Let me know if you need the payment details resent."

Option 2: "I’d be happy to get started on this once we’ve settled the previous invoice. Let’s get that sorted, and then we can dive into this next project."

Option 3: "Thanks for sending this through! Just a quick reminder that the last invoice is still outstanding. Once that’s taken care of, I’ll jump right into the new work."

10 Ways to Say No That Will Make You Giggle - And because saying no can sometimes feel too serious, here are 10 more light-hearted ways to say no that might make you smile:

1. "I’d love to, but I’ve already got plans to watch paint dry."

2. "I’m going to have to say no... but only because Netflix is calling my name."

3. "I’m flattered, but I’ve already committed to doing absolutely nothing."

4. "I’d help, but my couch and I have an exclusive date."

5. "I’d love to, but I’m still recovering from my last 'yes'."

6. "I’m afraid I can’t—my dog needs emotional support today."

7. "I’d say yes, but my procrastination schedule is full."

8. "I’d love to, but my plant said no."

9. "I’m on a strict ‘no overcommitting’ diet right now."

10. "I’d help, but I’ve already made a lifetime commitment to not doing that."

Conclusion: Saying No is Saying Yes to You

Saying no doesn’t have to be daunting—it’s an essential part of maintaining boundaries, protecting your time, and staying true to yourself. The more comfortable you get with saying no, the more you’ll realise that it opens the door to the things you truly want to say yes to.  

And remember, boundaries don’t just help you—they help others understand how to interact with you. By setting boundaries, you’re actually creating healthier, more sustainable relationships, both personally and professionally.

Bye for now