The Power of Saying No - by Vanessa Patrick

About the Book

"Everyone has a hard time saying no, but doing so can vastly improve our lives and relationships. Enter the art of empowered refusal: the skill of strategically saying no from a place of personal power that gives voice to your principles, values, and priorities while protecting your relationships and reputations. In Power of Saying No, Professor and researcher Vanessa Patrick explains that empowered refusal is a much-needed framework that can be mastered with thoughtful practice. By setting boundaries and being respectful to others (and yourself!) saying no can help you live your happiest, most successful life"--

Book Synopsis

"If you're tired of agreeing to annoying asks and thankless tasks, read this book. The Power of Saying No offers the smartest advice I've ever encountered for declining requests without risking your reputation or your relationships. This essential guide will sharpen your mind and steel your spine to live life on your own terms." --Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

Stop saying yes. Start saying no. Change your life!

You have probably said "yes" to bosses, partners, family, friends, and even strangers, when you actually want to say "no." Maybe you wish you could say no more often, but you're not sure how or if it's even possible to do so. You're not alone! We're taught to say yes as often as we can. After all, if you say no, aren't you likely to miss out on opportunities and sever important relationships? Isn't saying no a harmony-buster?

In The Power of Saying No, award-winning professor and researcher Vanessa Patrick delves into the new science of saying no. She introduces the ground-breaking concept of "empowered refusal"--a proven framework for saying no that puts you in charge of your life--and reveals some surprising secrets about the power of the word no.

Dr. Patrick shares:

• Why empowered refusal is a valuable superskill that helps us say no in a way that does not invite pushback from others.
• The toolkit of three competencies you need to develop to effectively communicate an empowered no response.
• A framework to help separate the "good-for-me" from the "not-good-for-me" activities and engagements that come our way.
• How to establish and implement personal policies that empower your refusal.
• How to use empowered refusal to manage difficult askers, strengthen your relationships and realize your full potential.

It's more important than ever to protect your time, focus on your top priorities, and use the power of saying no to reach your goals at work and at home. Empowered refusal is a unique, positive, and meaning-filled approach to managing your energy and ambition effectively, allowing you to make lasting, positive changes in your life.

This empowering book is a fascinating read that will help you with conflict resolution, boundaries, communication, and difficult conversations!

"The Power of Saying No will stay within arm's reach for me. It offers the explanations and the inspirations I need to take charge of my life and career, with concrete tools to make it happen. I was able to put Vanessa Patrick's lessons to work the day I started reading the book and have continued every day since. Read this book. Twice." --Dolly Chugh, author of The Person You Mean to Be and A More Just Future, Jacob B. Melnick Term Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business

Review Quotes

"The Power of Saying No is an absolute game changer. Dr. Patrick illuminates the reasons saying no is so darn hard, provides a framework for deciding when to say yes vs no, and most importantly, teaches readers how to say an empowered no they can feel confident about and that won't invite pushback. I highly recommend this book for anyone who struggles to say no--so basically everyone!" -- Jill Stoddard, PhD, author of Imposter No More and co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast

"Upbeat... Readers will appreciate her practical strategies and encouraging tone... This is motivating." -- Publishers Weekly

"This persuasive book will set readers on the path to self-awareness and empowerment." -- Booklist

"The Power of Saying No is a life-changing book. You can set boundaries without damaging your relationships, and Vanessa Patrick shows you how to do it." -- Jonah Berger, bestselling author of Contagious and The Catalyst

"The Power of Saying No will stay within arm's reach for me. It offers the explanations and the inspirations I need to take charge of my life and career, with concrete tools to make it happen. I was able to put Vanessa Patrick's lessons to work the day I started reading the book and have continued every day since. Read this book. Twice." -- Dolly Chugh, author of The Person You Mean to Be and A More Just Future, Jacob B. Melnick Term Professor at the NYU Stern School of Business

"If you're tired of agreeing to annoying asks and thankless tasks, read this book. THE POWER OF SAYING NO offers the smartest advice I've ever encountered for declining requests without risking your reputation or your relationships. This essential guide will sharpen your mind and steel your spine to live life on your own terms." -- Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

"Saying 'no' can be empowering, but you should say 'yes' to this book! Vanessa shares wise, practical tips for setting boundaries and living life with conviction, so you can spend more time on what matters and spend less time on what doesn't." -- Laura Vanderkam, author of Tranquility by Tuesday and 168 Hours

"Saying no is a superpower, and it can be yours when you read Vanessa Patrick's paradigm-shifting book. If you want to learn how to say no so you can say yes to your life, pick up this book and read it." -- Whitney Johnson, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of Smart Growth