As we approach the holidays, instead of stressing ourselves because of social obligations and family drama, let’s instead focus on changing our habits.

Many people have difficulty navigating the murky waters of their own boundaries. Refusing social invitations can cause anxiety due to the fear of offending others or jeopardizing valuable relationships. Having self-respect and social agility are two traits of a person who has mastered the talent of gracefully declining an offer.

Whether in person or online, proper social etiquette is crucial to the success of any interaction. Although not frequently included in formal education, these skills are crucial for making and keeping connections with others. According to James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits," the effectiveness of habits lies in their ability to change deliberate actions into reflexes. The same idea applies to learning proper etiquette; with enough repetition, good manners become ingrained in our own selves.

Refusing an offer calls for an honest and polite explanation of why one can't accept the position. A remark along the lines of "I truly appreciate your invitation, but at this time, I'm relishing more low-key engagements." What do you think about setting up a more intimate get-together in the not too distant future? shows that you've got good taste while still keeping things on a friendly, personal level.

Taking tiny steps toward this practice can be the beginning of a journey toward better relationships with others and greater self-growth. If you keep practicing respectful boundary setting, it will become second nature and an indispensable part of your arsenal of social skills. Try it out; with each polite refusal, you'll not only feel better, but you'll also be reinforcing the harmony of the group while maintaining your personal sense of ease.

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Jules Hirst is a sought-after business & social etiquette expert, co-author of The Power of Civility and founder of Etiquette Consulting, Inc.

Dedicated to empowering individuals and groups with confidence and essential social grace, she conducts lectures, workshops, seminars and webinars for Business Professionals, Newly Elected Officials, College Students, the Youth, Teens and Brides to Be.

She has worked with corporations & non profits such as NALEO, Northrop Grumman, County of Los Angeles Libraries, Sun America, Ernst & Young and the Girl Scouts of America and numerous schools and universities including UCLA, USC, Cal State Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara & Mount St. Mary’s.

Regarded as a foremost authority in business etiquette, Jules has been interviewed by and quoted in a variety of media outlets including NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, Yahoo!, Bravo T.V, MTV, Good Morning America, KCBS the San Diego Tribune, Chicago Tribune, The Smart Show, KNX 1070, KFI, Marketplace PR and Los Angeles Times.

website: https://www.juleshirst.com/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juleshirst/