Tag: no

Relationship negotiation doesn't sound very romantic or sexy, but it is the foundation upon which love is based. Without strong, conscious relationship negotiating skills, couples are bound for disappointment and frustration. Here are four principles of relationship negotiation.

Principle 1: Fairness is What You Create, Not What You Deserve

You and I are old enough to know what we want and what we do not want. By now we also know who we are and who we are not. We definitely have a handle on what makes us happy and what gives us a knot in the stomach. And, we can identify the people we enjoy spending time with as opposed to those who make us wish we were getting our annual pap smear instead of sitting down for a visit or a cup of coffee.

We know… but do we trust ourselves to make good decisions based on this knowledge?

Fall is in the air, and with the change of seasons, comes the realization that the holidays are fast approaching. So it’s really tempting this time of the year to say "yes" to every invitation and holiday project. But saying "yes" to 50 more things when you’re already overloaded with work, family, and friendships, can test even the healthiest of marriages. Why? We tend to put our husband or wife as the last priority on our long to-do list, which can cause hurt feelings, fights, and resentment.

"I know that when a door closes, it can feel like all doors are closing. A rejection letter can feel like everyone will reject us. But a closed door leads to clarity. It’s really an arrow. Because we cannot go through that door, we will go somewhere else. That somewhere else is your true life."  ~Tama Kieves

Rejection might well be the source of our greatest fear and anguish—and for good reason.

When everyone is saying, "Ho, ho, ho," how do you say, "No, no, no?" The holiday season is in full swing and you may find yourself having difficulty saying "no" to a party invitation, a drink or a decadent dessert. A little finessing can help make, "No thank you" a bit more palatable. Here are a few of my tips:

How to Decline an Invitation

1. While it is not necessary to give a lengthy reason for not attending, it is important to give a sincere, "I'm so sorry that I am going to have to miss your party, it sounds like it is going to be loads of fun" or, "Thank you for thinking of me but, unfortunately, I have already committed to another event." A good host will not continue to pry or make you feel guilty.