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No Is a Beautiful Word: Hope and Help for the Overcommitted and (Occasionally) Exhausted
If a person has extra time, nothing to do, and finds themself looking for ways to fill their empty days...this book is definitely not for them.
No Is a Beautiful Word is designed and crafted for people whose plate is full, whose margin is thin, and whose life feels overloaded. They are looking for help, relief, and wisdom to navigate the countless options that life offers on a daily basis.
This book is needed by people
Go to bed with a "To Do" list that never seems to get totally done.Kindly say, "Yes" and secretly regret it five minutes later.Feel pain and live with guilt when they have to say, "No."Were taught that "No" is a dirty word.Believe that saying "No" is a sign of weakness.Feel trapped by unwise past commitments.Want to say "Yes" to what matters most in life but are too exhausted.Know that their life is out of balance and are seeking to fix it!It will be valuable
Leaders who have a tough time making the hard decisions because they fear hurting someone's feelings.Executives who feel over extended and pressed to the edges of their capacity.Parents who feel overworked and under appreciated.Students who are trying to balance the intensity of school, work, and their relational world.Retired people who find themselves saying, with subtle humor but aching regret, "I am more busy now than I have ever been!"Single people who go to bed at night exhausted because the day left no margin and offered no oasis of peace.Married people who love their life but secretly dream about time to play, space to relax, and taking a nap.No Is a Beautiful Word is designed to be read briskly, chewed on thoroughly, and acted on practically. The chapters are brief by intention. They range from one paragraph (that's right, some chapters are only a few sentences long!) to four pages.
The goal of this book is give people clear concepts, paint a picture of what it looks like to live out the idea, and then move on to the next thought. The vision is to help people learn to say "No" to the things that don't matter (or don't matter as much) so they can say "Yes" to the things that bring life, hope, peace, and lasting meaning.
No Is a Beautiful Word is designed and crafted for people whose plate is full, whose margin is thin, and whose life feels overloaded. They are looking for help, relief, and wisdom to navigate the countless options that life offers on a daily basis.
This book is needed by people
Go to bed with a "To Do" list that never seems to get totally done.Kindly say, "Yes" and secretly regret it five minutes later.Feel pain and live with guilt when they have to say, "No."Were taught that "No" is a dirty word.Believe that saying "No" is a sign of weakness.Feel trapped by unwise past commitments.Want to say "Yes" to what matters most in life but are too exhausted.Know that their life is out of balance and are seeking to fix it!It will be valuable
Leaders who have a tough time making the hard decisions because they fear hurting someone's feelings.Executives who feel over extended and pressed to the edges of their capacity.Parents who feel overworked and under appreciated.Students who are trying to balance the intensity of school, work, and their relational world.Retired people who find themselves saying, with subtle humor but aching regret, "I am more busy now than I have ever been!"Single people who go to bed at night exhausted because the day left no margin and offered no oasis of peace.Married people who love their life but secretly dream about time to play, space to relax, and taking a nap.No Is a Beautiful Word is designed to be read briskly, chewed on thoroughly, and acted on practically. The chapters are brief by intention. They range from one paragraph (that's right, some chapters are only a few sentences long!) to four pages.
The goal of this book is give people clear concepts, paint a picture of what it looks like to live out the idea, and then move on to the next thought. The vision is to help people learn to say "No" to the things that don't matter (or don't matter as much) so they can say "Yes" to the things that bring life, hope, peace, and lasting meaning.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
13 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 21, 2020
A few observations:
1) Despite this book's brevity, it's still too long and still too repetitive. I've concluded that learning how to say no doesn't merit a book-length treatment.
2) Although there are a few good "soundbite" moments, this book mostly just presents ideas readers could arrive at through common sense. I didn't learn anything from this book that I didn't already know from my own thoughts and experience.
3) This book wanders beyond its stated focus: "No Is a Beautiful Word is designed and crafted for people whose plate is full, whose margin is thin, and whose life feels overloaded" (from the book description). Several of the chapters have nothing to do with the problem of overload and overcommitment. Chapter 51 ("No Words"), for example, encourages readers to think through toxic words and phrases (e.g., "I'll never forgive you!") they'll never say to others, especially in the heat of the moment. While there's nothing wrong with saying no to using certain words and phrases, that practice doesn't fit this book's focus at all.
4) There are Christian books that throw in a few Christian examples but otherwise sound like secular self-help books, and then there are Christian books saturated from the inside out with biblical thinking. Sadly, this book is the former. Honestly, I wish it had claimed to be a typical self-help book so that I could perhaps be more generous with my rating. But when a book claims to be from a Christian perspective, I must automatically hold it to a stricter standard.
My recommendation is that you pass on this one. If you're feeling overcommitted and (occasionally) exhausted, Kevin DeYoung's Crazy Busy, David & Shona Murray's Reset/Refresh (one is targeted at men, the other at women), or Tim Challies's Do More Better are better places to start.
1) Despite this book's brevity, it's still too long and still too repetitive. I've concluded that learning how to say no doesn't merit a book-length treatment.
2) Although there are a few good "soundbite" moments, this book mostly just presents ideas readers could arrive at through common sense. I didn't learn anything from this book that I didn't already know from my own thoughts and experience.
3) This book wanders beyond its stated focus: "No Is a Beautiful Word is designed and crafted for people whose plate is full, whose margin is thin, and whose life feels overloaded" (from the book description). Several of the chapters have nothing to do with the problem of overload and overcommitment. Chapter 51 ("No Words"), for example, encourages readers to think through toxic words and phrases (e.g., "I'll never forgive you!") they'll never say to others, especially in the heat of the moment. While there's nothing wrong with saying no to using certain words and phrases, that practice doesn't fit this book's focus at all.
4) There are Christian books that throw in a few Christian examples but otherwise sound like secular self-help books, and then there are Christian books saturated from the inside out with biblical thinking. Sadly, this book is the former. Honestly, I wish it had claimed to be a typical self-help book so that I could perhaps be more generous with my rating. But when a book claims to be from a Christian perspective, I must automatically hold it to a stricter standard.
My recommendation is that you pass on this one. If you're feeling overcommitted and (occasionally) exhausted, Kevin DeYoung's Crazy Busy, David & Shona Murray's Reset/Refresh (one is targeted at men, the other at women), or Tim Challies's Do More Better are better places to start.
December 25, 2021
Super easy read. Simple concept, with some helpful suggestions for thinking how to set up boundaries and give the right no’s.
January 31, 2025
Easy read, lots of quality information and timely for me. Helpful to see the kindness available in a powerful no + setting boundaries effectively in different situations!
April 15, 2024
Bite sized reflections that give you a meaningful "why" behind building boundaries into your life in the form of the word "No". It isn't about being self centered, it's about being a good steward and realizing the time we have each day, month and year is limited! I feel like this would be a great supplement to the book "Boundaries" by Cloud and Townsend
June 10, 2019
Kevin Harney, an author I had not heard of previously, has written a book of practical advice for anyone struggling with significant demands on his or her time. Perhaps the best concept here is that one has to say 'no' to many things so 'yes' can be said to the most important things in one's life. This slim volume consists of 68 short chapters, which is not a strength of the book. I found wanting more detail and more context for each of Harney's points of emphasis. I believe the book would have been stronger if the author had developed some his ideas in greater depth. But anyone who takes the book's lessons to heart will find a more productive and fulfilling life, and that's no small thing.
March 27, 2021
It's not like there was anything earth shattering in here. It was pretty much all stuff I "knew" but sometimes repeated reminders are necessary. The book is a bit repetitive given that the theme is basically "say no, so that you can yes to more important things" but as someone who finds it hard to say no at times, I found it helpful. I savored the book over a few months and found that constant trickle reminder that it's ok to say no to help me takle a few nos in my life and feel like I got just a bit better at it. A very practical book, and one I personally found to be helpful
December 2, 2022
Love the brief chapters full of simple concepts. It was very helpful in consistently driving home the idea that if you say yes something, you are saying no to something else. You need to learn to say no sometimes in order to have the freedom to say yes to what is really important to you.
Part 5, Critical Nos, I felt, seemed off topic. It was mainly good advice for living, but diluted the message of the book. So, in my opinion, the book could have been a little shorter and more impactful without that part.
Part 5, Critical Nos, I felt, seemed off topic. It was mainly good advice for living, but diluted the message of the book. So, in my opinion, the book could have been a little shorter and more impactful without that part.
July 20, 2019
Easy read with lots of practical steps to learn to take back control of our lives of the hectic pace filled with so many requests. Say no in a variety of ways in order to say yes to others. Reminded me of 1 Cor 6:12, "all things are lawful for me but not all things profitable...". There are even many good things out there to do, but only a few bests. I will be recommending this book to a few people around me.
March 2, 2020
I really enjoyed the second half of this book. The first half just felt like a long list. Also, I read Boundaries by Henry Cloud a while back and this one reminded me a lot of that. I think it's a worthwhile read, especially if you haven't read boundaries. The second half was definitely a decent refresher for those of us who have.
July 14, 2023
I can not recommend this book enough. Whenever I encounter anyone who struggles with over committing and burning themselves thin, I lend them this book.
Such a quick and easy read but more importantly, keeps right to point on how to beautiful implement saying no without being a jerk and how to not feel bad for saying “no” within reason.
Such a quick and easy read but more importantly, keeps right to point on how to beautiful implement saying no without being a jerk and how to not feel bad for saying “no” within reason.
October 5, 2020
A must read...
This was a great book. It had good explanations and practical applications. I am glad I read it. For those who feel obligated to always say yes. You need to read this. No is not a bad thing.
This was a great book. It had good explanations and practical applications. I am glad I read it. For those who feel obligated to always say yes. You need to read this. No is not a bad thing.
June 22, 2020
Easy read, good concept, not original, could have been a blog post.
October 8, 2021
Recommended. Redundant at times, and mixed messages at times. The author is a pastor and uses religious examples.
November 4, 2022
My favorite book 🤍
February 11, 2023
Would not recommend
November 30, 2023
Interesting premise, easy read.
December 21, 2024
It was good. Not crazy good. But good enough.
May 2, 2025
Quick listen- great points on boundaries and when it is appropriate to say no and make it count for yes in other areas. A good reminder to keep the important things, important.
June 15, 2020
Èo!!!! Learn to say “No” when you suppose the book not well enough to change your mind and make you more decisively, especially after browsing the title... a bit self-overact..
VÀI GỢI Ý NẾU MUỐN TỪ CHỐI
- Không, chắc là để khi khác (nhưng thật lòng rất trân trọng với lời hảo ý này của
- Không, nhưng tôi biết một người khác có thể làm được
- không, nhưng mà tôi có ý này
- Không, nhưng tôi thật hãnh diện..(khi anh đã nghĩ tới tôi, vì nó thật sự rất có ý nghĩa với tôi)
- Không, nhưng tôi có thể đưa ra vài lời khuyên được chứ!?
- Không, tôi có thể nói đùa một câu được chứ?
- Không, tôi có thể nói lý do được không?
- Không, nhưng tôi thích điều bạn đang làm
- Không, và bạn nên cẩn trọng
- Không, nhưng tôi có thể đưa bạn một nguồn thông tin tra cứu
- Không, cảm ơn, thứ đó không dành cho tôi
- Không, điều này có thể khiến tôi phải trả giá....
- Không, và tôi sẽ không bao giờ...
- Không, vì tôi chưa thể quyết định
- Không, vì mẹ yêu con...
- Không, nhưng làm ơn đừng nghĩ tới điều tệ nhất
- Không , miễn bình luận
- Không, xin cảm ơn
-
VÀI GỢI Ý NẾU MUỐN TỪ CHỐI
- Không, chắc là để khi khác (nhưng thật lòng rất trân trọng với lời hảo ý này của
- Không, nhưng tôi biết một người khác có thể làm được
- không, nhưng mà tôi có ý này
- Không, nhưng tôi thật hãnh diện..(khi anh đã nghĩ tới tôi, vì nó thật sự rất có ý nghĩa với tôi)
- Không, nhưng tôi có thể đưa ra vài lời khuyên được chứ!?
- Không, tôi có thể nói đùa một câu được chứ?
- Không, tôi có thể nói lý do được không?
- Không, nhưng tôi thích điều bạn đang làm
- Không, và bạn nên cẩn trọng
- Không, nhưng tôi có thể đưa bạn một nguồn thông tin tra cứu
- Không, cảm ơn, thứ đó không dành cho tôi
- Không, điều này có thể khiến tôi phải trả giá....
- Không, và tôi sẽ không bao giờ...
- Không, vì tôi chưa thể quyết định
- Không, vì mẹ yêu con...
- Không, nhưng làm ơn đừng nghĩ tới điều tệ nhất
- Không , miễn bình luận
- Không, xin cảm ơn
-
Read
March 7, 2019Kevin is right. Most of us are over committed. Our calendars and our lives are just too busy. Out of guilt, or obligation, or a misplaced sense of loyalty we’ve said yes when we should have said no. As Warren Buffett once said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.” Kevin would agree. In “No is a beautiful word,” he teaches us when, how, and why o say no. This is a book every busy person will want to read. Dr. Dann Stouten author of "The Gate."
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews