While saying yes can take us down some wonderful roads，there's also a ton of value in saying no. We're only given a certain amount of hours in our lives；do you really want to give yours away so easily？If you don't have to time to commit to a new project，complete a favor，or serve on another committee，it's a good idea to just say no.

　　你說要是答應句“好”那不多簡單啊，而且聽起來也舒服；說“不”呢也不是不可以，而且有其道理所在；如果朋友有求，但你又的的確確沒什么時間，幫不上什么忙，那就拒絕得了；不過，人生在世，來去匆匆，你又是否真的愿意生硬地拒絕或者讓你的那個“不”字來的那么陡，最終連短暫歲月中的知音也遠離呢！

　　The problem comes when saying no will put you in an awkward situation. Maybe you feel bad turning down the invitation to a coworker's bridal shower or you're worried that saying no to your cubicle buddy will cost you opportunities down the line. What you need in your back pocket is a way to say no gracefully-and that's just what I've got for you today. Consider them “Get out of Jail Free” cards for grown-ups.

　　說的倒容易，這要是一說了“不”，不就令雙方都尷尬了嘛！你想吧，同事結婚發(fā)來請柬，要是舍不得趕禮，想不去，這又覺得很不夠意思；如果遇上是舍友結良緣邀請你，你拒絕的話，恐怕以后你結婚的時候對方也不會來了。所以我今天在這里要說的就是，遇到這種情況，你干脆就來上一句善意的謊言，委婉的推脫就得了。接觸的事情多了，這種方法也就尋常了，而且也是輕松解圍的好方法。

　　For requests in the workplace： 

　　同事之間：

　　“I'm sorry，but I just have a lot of other responsibilities on my plate. I really can't give that project the attention it deserves.”

　　實在抱歉，我現在手頭上還有很多事情需要處理，太忙了！不能夠……真是太遺憾了！

　　“I love your ideas，and I know a few people who might be great matches for your project.”

　　你的想法很不錯，我很欣賞，但我現在可能暫時沒法加入，不過我知道某某興許比較適合做……

　　“You know，this isn't really my area of expertise， but I know a few great resources. Let me write them down for you.”

　　這方面我還真不在行，要不這樣，我知道一些資料可能會對你有幫助，我?guī)湍銓懴聛?，你可以去查一下?/p>

　　“I'd love to help，but I'm on a strict deadline for the next few days. Let me know if there's any way I can help another time.”

　　我真的很想幫您，但我現在的活必須得在這兩天搞定；您看過了這兩天再弄你的事行不行？

　　“I'd love to come to your [creepy after-hours direct marketing] party， but I'm babysitting for a friend that evening.” （I highly recommend brainstorming a few truthful excuses as to why you wouldn't be able to go： make plans to call your mom，to catch up with an old friend，or to finally do whatever task it is that you've been putting off.）

　　我太想去了（可能你事后想起來會覺得說的假惺惺的），但我那天晚上得替朋友帶孩子。（最好找的借口不是謊話，一定要扯的很圓才行；比如說計劃給老媽子打電話啊、跟老朋友見面啊，或者就講本來你準備要推遲做的事，然后說要在那天做。）

　　“I'm sorry，but as a general rule I don't participate in [insert activity or favor here]. If there's another way I can help，let me know.”

　　抱歉！一般情況下我都不去/不做XXX的。你看如果是有其他需要幫助的，可以找我。