"No"

Why is it that in the face of certain situations and certain people I am so pathetically un-assertive?

Work called me earlier today asking me to help them out and work tomorrow, my line manager has been taken into hospital and they are short of bodies. I hate that, I know I have a right to a life, as it happens PG and I have a day off together and have plans for the day, but no, instead of just saying "sorry I can't," what do I do? Turn into a gibbering idiot is what I do! I have a horrible habit of rambling on making my excuses in an attempt to justify something I know I shouldn't feel it necessary to justify in the first place.....and doubtless sounding crap into the bargain! All I am doing is providing an opening for persuasion and argument!

Why can't I just say 'no' and be done with it....I know the rules of assertiveness....Goddamn I have to learn to apply them and subsequently not sit here feeling guilty for having a life!

Must practice "NO", must practice "NO"..........