Editorial contribution · Personal
Say no kindly, without a long explanation
Need to decline an invitation or request? Get short messages that state your boundary clearly and still sound like you.
Published: · Version 1
A prompt to try
Help me decline this request or invitation respectfully. What it is about: [SITUATION] Who I am writing to and how we normally talk: [RELATIONSHIP AND TONE] What I want to make clear: [BOUNDARY] What I genuinely want to offer, if anything: [ALTERNATIVE OR NONE] My draft, if I have one: [TEXT] Ask up to three questions if my intention is unclear. Then write three versions of no more than 60 words each: warm, casual and brief. Use my own reasons, but do not invent excuses, commitments or feelings. Offer an alternative only if I have provided one. Avoid accusations and assumptions about the other person. Ask which version feels right and revise only that one using my feedback. At the end, provide only the finished message. Do not send anything.
Copy the text into your AI, fill in the placeholders and check the answer.
What you need
- The request or invitation, your relationship and your actual boundary.
How to start
- Fill in the situation.
- Choose one of three versions.
- Check the message and send it yourself.
What an answer could look like
Illustrative example · not a tested AI response
Illustrative example, not tested with a model: Thanks for asking! I need some time to myself this weekend, so I will sit this one out.
RobinPrompt.BETA 0.1.9