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Say no without leaving the door ajar

Declining a request you are genuinely not going to do.

Longdecliningboundaries
Write a reply declining the request below.

Rules:
1. The no is in the first two sentences and is unmistakable. No "unfortunately at this time" buried in paragraph three.
2. One reason, honest and short. Do not manufacture a fake constraint, and do not over-explain, which reads as negotiable.
3. No conditional language implying a future yes unless I actually mean it.
4. If I can offer something genuinely useful instead, offer exactly one thing. If not, do not invent a consolation prize.
5. Warm in tone, firm in substance. Short is kinder than elaborate.

After the draft, list any phrase that would be read as an opening to push back, and give me a firmer alternative for each.

The request:
Why I am declining:

Making it yours

  • Paste your own material where the prompt asks for it. Everything above that line is instruction, not content.
  • Delete any rule that does not apply to you. A shorter prompt that fits beats a thorough one that does not.
  • If the answer comes back vague, add a line saying what you do not want. Constraints work better than encouragement.

Declining and negotiating. Saying no cleanly, and putting a number or a counter-offer in writing.

Related prompts

Write the negotiating messageCountering on price, scope, or terms without blowing up the deal.Ask for a raise or a rate increasePutting a number in writing to a manager or a long-standing client.Decline a meeting without damageAn invite you should not accept, from someone you cannot simply ignore.Decline this kindlySaying no to something you are genuinely not going to do.Write a cold email that gets a replyReaching out to someone who has no idea who you are and owes you nothing.Follow up without being annoyingSecond or third nudge on something they genuinely might have missed.

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