We should say no much more often. It’s good for us. It’s sometimes good for the person on the other side of the conversation.

• No to the client who isn’t going to pay.
• No to the client who won’t ever be happy.
• No to the landlord pushing us to take on more space.
• No to the copier guy trying to sell us the automatic hole puncher.
• No to the employee who wants an advance of salary.
• No to the friend wanting us to hire her kid.
• No to the banker wanting us to borrow more money.
• No to the opposing counsel asking for the third extension that’s going to make your client’s head explode.
• No to the client who can pay a bit now but won’t be able to afford what’s obviously coming later.
• No to the website vendor, lead-selling huckster, or search engine optimizing scumbag.
• No to the fake charity guy selling light bulbs or tickets to the police carnival.
• No to the associate asking for more time on the deadline.
• No to the prospective client pulling on our heartstrings with a case that’s going nowhere fast.

You already know when you need to say no. You start feeling it before the other person finishes talking. You can feel the angst rising. You can already picture yourself feeling bad about having said yes.

Don’t do it. Stop, step away, move backward, and find your inner strength. Just say no.