The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay

by Beth Wareham

The terrible yes years. You know them You're suckered into working late and often, unflattering haircuts and poodle perms, back-fat-exposing blouses, too small jeans, treacherous friendships, and dudes who kiss like a Saint Bernard…all because you couldn't use that one little word…that one little word with so much power…N-O. Unlike "please respect my boundaries," N-O has teeth. It says jump back! Stand down! Mess-with-me-at-your-peril! It can be delivered like a whisper or spat out like a curse. N-O is perfect for every relationship, from cubicle to corner office, backyard to bedroom, dry cleaner to grocery store. Worn on your hip and drawn in one smooth action, NO lets you say, "I don't have time for this nonsense. I am making a great life here." The perfect book for anyone who has ever been passed over for a promotion, dated jerks, married a disaster, suffered too many fools, or just needed more time alone, The Power of No will teach you how to manage what you don't want and get what you do.

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published July 21, 2009

Reviews

[Lyg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea is good, but the advice is horrible. A personal journey of learning to say no is an important thing for everyone, but this book is one woman's (not research based, but strongly held) opinions self-validated and spewed ultra-specific advice that is very far from universally applicable and remarkably similar to the advice you hear from a dumb, but confident friend you should have said no to long ago.

[Cherry (_forevermint) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny at times and somewhat helpful, this was a quick read that helped me pass the time whenever I had a few minutes to spare. I didn't find it all that helpful except for the chapters on saying no in the workplace and saying no to yourself. It's a good reminder that we have the power to say no but overall it just wasn't as insightful as I thought it would be.

[Rania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and a light read but not very helpful.

[Nicole Smith]

This is a really fast read. The beginning was a little too racy for me. I felt there was some great advice about how to say no - and about the purpose of being able to say no. The main idea being that our lives are ours and we have to decide how we will spend our time. Loved the idea of learning how to draw, and stick to, appropriate boundaries in all facets of life. Especially loved this quote: Part of the power of no is that you are not a victim. Ever.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to ask Beth Wareham to be my friend but I'm pretty sure of what the answer would be (NO.). She is charming, funny, and right on the money. I am a firm believer in the power of NO. Beth did a great job articulating the great power of NO in all of life's situations while being so funny that I was waking up my kids from laughing out loud.

[Monica Arreola · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this books would talk more about power dynamics at the workplace but it actually goes into the 90s mysoginist advice of "let him call you first" and play hard to get. The only chapters worth reading are the last two.

[Mikayla Upcott · Rating 1 out of 5]

There's setting boundaries, and then there's being mean, nasty, selfish, and vapid. This book espouses the latter type of strategies, and uses a plethora of sexual innuendos and political opinions throughout in ways that are totally unnecessary.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, light read that addresses why women find it hard to say no, and how to overcome it.

[Brianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. This was a quick 130-ish page read, that was more of a funny joke than any actual help. Maybe that’s what was intended by the author. Not for me.

[Rand Youes · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Using the word no is about time and how you manage it. Your time. And, if you add up all the little bits of your time, the sum total is something that is called your life."

Quick read, straight to the point but could've been more insightful!

[Kim Redington · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun self-help to encourage you to put yourself first, to say "no", when you might sometimes automatically say "yes".

[Susan Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, if I'd only gotten to read this many years ago. I could have avoided so many unfortunate situations, bad bosses, bad jobs, being overworked, abused, manipulated and disrespected so many times. Above all: Saying YES to everyone all of the time is like saying NO to yourself. Learn to say "no" and you can really change your life. Like magic, your life will become what you always wanted it to be. NO is the new black. It works like a charm every time and looks great on everyone.