How to say no

Finding ways to budget your involvement. Also, 7 other things worth your time.

Today’s story is about saying no.

For some people, it’s easy. They set boundaries, know their limits, refuse to take on too much.

For others, it’s tougher. They find themselves agreeing to things they don’t really want to. (The “why” behind this is another question.)

I also think there’s a third group: People who have a hard time saying no, but who also never quite say yes, either.

Writing on CNBC.com, Juliet Funt, founder and CEO of a boutique efficiency firm, Juliet Funt Group, and the author of A Minute to Think, recently shared a series of five go-to phrases that allow you to set limits without ever having to actually use the word, “no.”

Here’s what she came up with:

1. “May I take a day to get back to you?”

I like this one to start, in part because I often wind up taking that day—or two or three—without ever asking or letting the other person know.

But it seems smart to put it this way: let them know you received the request and you value it enough to reply…without actually committing …