To say "no" to life's distractions and frustrations, we need to first know ourselves. IN Episode 150, Vanessa Patrick shows us how to make an "empowered refusal" based on our values, beliefs and identity. You'll learn how to set and adjust rules to protect your time and priorities, why the best no's are formed around personal policies, not excuses, what to do when someone won't take no for an answer, and how to say no to ourselves when temptations arise. There's an art and science to saying no -- and after listening to Vanessa, you'll learn how to say no without hurting your relationships and reputation.

Vanessa Patrick, PhD. is the Associate Dean for Research, Executive Director of Doctoral Programs (PhD and DBA), and a Professor of Marketing at the Bauer School of Business at the University of Houston. She is the author of The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life.