Reviewed by: G. Connor Salter, Professional Writing alumnus from Taylor University, Upland, IN.
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Introduction
Title: No is a Beautiful Word: Hope and Help for the Overcommitted and (Occasionally) Exhausted
Author: Kevin G. Harney
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Format: Softcover (paperback)
Length: 192 pages
OVERVIEW
Nobody can commit to doing everything people ask them to do, but nobody wants to turn down fun opportunities either. But what if saying “No” to certain things can actually be good? Kevin G. Harney argues the key to living a balanced life is learning when to turn down opportunities that distract away from one’s priorities. Harney breaks his discussion into several key sections:
- Why it’s sometimes okay to say “No”
- Different things you can mean by saying “No” (such as “No, but I know someone else who can help”)
- The right times to say “No”
- The most effective ways to say “No”
- The things you should always say “No” to
- The ways that strategically saying “No” can change your life
- The right times to say “Yes” instead
Harney takes a “short and sweet” approach to the material, making each point with as few words as possible. In fact, some of his chapters are only a page long. One could argue the book could have been just as good if he’d taken a longer, more meditative approach to the material. That being said, he never makes chapters so short that he miscommunicates his ideas. Not only that, but the ideas he describes are well-developed and highly helpful. All told, this book is well worth reading at least once and will give readers a new perspective on how to live well.
ASSESSMENT
Rating (1 to 5 stars)
4 stars
Intended Audience
Readers trying to avoid overcommitted schedules, readers trying to learn how to build good priorities.
Christian Impact
This book will help readers see the wisdom of using their time wisely and focusing on the opportunities God brings their way.
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