Do you ever feel as if your life is not your own? Are you so busy thinking of everyone else that there's no time left for you? Do you give in to pressure - or guilt - even when you know you shouldn't? Can't say no? Do you feel guilty putting yourself first? Do you say yes when you really want to say no? Do you struggle with people who ignore your boundaries - or imply that you don't have the right to them? When it's time to stand up for yourself, has the cat got your tongue? Setting boundaries isn't easy. In this simple, practical guide, Steph Sterner reveals seven strategies for handling difficult people. And while many authors are content to fill their books with general advice, Steph has packed this guide with concrete examples of how to set boundaries gracefully. It's easier than you think Whether you hate conflict, don't want to feel guilty, or just don't know what to say, you'll love this book. Why? Because it will give you all the information you need to turn that around - in less than 90 minutes. That's right: 90 minutes. This book doesn't contain complicated psychological theories or case studies. It's not about why people manipulate you, or even why you allow it. It's all about communication: how to recognize and respond to manipulation simply, respectfully and effectively. And isn't that what you really want? No hard feelings ... Because every suggested response is respectful, you don't need to worry about feeling mean or hurting someone's feelings. If you follow these guidelines and someone gets angry with you, you'll know that the person confronting you is being unreasonable. And you'll know how to respond to that, too. One size does NOT fit all. Many authors tell you what limits to set and how to set them. Some have even created systems - formulas for you to follow whenever you need to say no. But they're based on the authors' values, not yours. And no formula can provide the understanding you need in order to choose your words - or handle the inevitable objections. This concise guide accomplishes all this and more. It shows you how you've unconsciously handed your power to others - and gives you plenty of ways to reclaim it, one boundary at a time. You will quickly understand the principles behind each approach, what it will accomplish and where it may fall short. You'll be able to choose for yourself what to say and how to say it. After all, you're the one who has to live with the consequences of your words. Wouldn't you rather be empowered to choose them yourself? The Power of the Right Words As Steph says in the preface: "You'll be amazed at how effective a simple, respectful response can be. Those who care about you will understand your need to put yourself first once in a while. And those who don't will struggle to deal with the new you: someone who can no longer be intimidated by a look, a tone of voice, or an unrealistic demand. This new you will quickly learn how to respond to different types of people and situations without sacrificing what matters to you: your time, your relationships, and your good feelings about yourself." Imagine making the choices you really want to make ... and still feeling good about yourself. No more need for the approval or agreement of others. (Of course, you can still consider their input.) No more resenting them for persuading you to do something against your better judgment. And with those boundaries in place, you'll finally be free to do the things that matter most to you. Your only regret will be that you didn't discover 7 Easy Ways sooner Few books offer you so much in such a short space. This is a must-read for people-pleasers, pushovers or anyone who feels guilty or uncomfortable setting healthy boundaries ... even if it's only sometimes. Set your boundaries your way ... because it's your life.