What you don’t do on a daily basis is at least—if not more—important than what you actually do take action on. Of course, saying “no” is easier said than done. Many of us have an intuitive desire to please others, to explore every opportunity, to take on more than we can handle, and worry about the consequences later. But if you can master the art of saying “no,” you can prevent your time and focus from being held captive by a constant barrage of requests and distractions. Here are a few practical techniques that can help.