Sostartsayingthingslike: "I appreciateyourasking, but I reallycan't," Or… "I wish I could, but I'm swampedthisweek."
Oncepeopleunderstandthatthepossibilityofyousayingyesornois a 50/50, itwillbecomemucheasierforyoutoactuallysayno, andtheywillbecomemoreacceptingofyouranswer.