The Power of NO


 

No: The Most Powerful Word to Relearn which helps us prioritise and leads to more Success and Happiness

We've been taught that it's good to say "Yes", to juggle a million things, to do and achieve as much as we can in as short a timeframe as possible! And as a result, stress and overwhelm are endemic in modern culture.

But the difference between people who succeed and those who don't (and between people who enjoy life, and people who feel stressed and overwhelmed) is not people who say "Yes", but those who are willing to say "No"! 

 "No" is the most powerful word in the dictionary. What's interesting is that when you were small, you felt quite at home saying "No". When you first learned to say "No" - you probably loved it! It's that moment in our young lives when we suddenly realise we don't HAVE to do what we're told - and boy does it feel good!

But it's inconvenient for adults when children say, "No" - and sometimes even dangerous. So you were overridden, and sometimes shamed into considering other people's needs and feelings. You were taught that saying "No" is bad and selfish. It's no wonder your "No" lost its potency. You learned to do what you were told in order to feel safe, accepted and cared for - and to avoid feeling shame and guilt. 

But now YOU are the adult and you have a choice. You can say "Yes", but critically you also get to say, "No".

The Dangers of Yes: Whatever career or subject we're interested in, whatever activity we want to do, wherever we want to travel, it's all available to us like never before in history. Literally anything is possible. Technology allows us to be in contact with everyone at all times - phone, email, social media, messaging. And on top of that, we make a huge number of daily choices too - what to eat, what to wear, how long we work for. There are things other people expect us to do - things we need to do and things we want to do. Is it any wonder that we're in a state of overload? We have a super-abundance of choices and tasks and it's stressing us out!

But by saying "Yes" to one thing, you're automatically saying "No" to something else. For example, by saying "Yes" to long working hours you're saying "No" to family or self-time, by saying "Yes" to going out every night this week, you are saying "No" to being rested and at your best during the day.

Get Clear on What Really Matters: One of the most powerful things we can do is relearn how to say "No" - both to ourselves and others. Because in this busy, modern world there will ALWAYS be more to do than time available. What you say "No" to, frees you up to say "Yes" to something else.
Know What to Say "No" To: It's about clarifying - a key prioritisation skill. Learning what to say "No" to is critical your success. When we're clear on our vision and goals, our values - what we consider deeply important, when we trust our intuition and acknowledge our feelings and needs, THEN we know what we need to say "No" to. Until then, we tend to say "Yes" to everything and end up feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

So, figure out what really matters - and then make choices that align with who you are and what you want from life. Because when we say "Yes" ONLY to things that enrich and enliven our lives, and say "No" to the things that drain us or move us away from our goals - our lives take off. Success!
Just a few of the areas where coaching can help you include:
  • Figuring out your vision for their life, and establishing their goals
  • Deciding what really matters to you - your values
  • Trusting your intuition
  • Noticing and paying attention to your feelings and needs - self-care!
  • Taking a more balanced approach to your lives - work and life, family and self.
"There are only two words that will always lead you to success. Those words are yes and no. Undoubtedly, you've mastered saying yes. So start practicing saying no. Your goals depend on it!" - Jack Canfield 


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