The Gift of NO
Possibly one of the most difficult words to say, for adults anyway, ‘NO’ is also one of the most powerful. It’s often one of the first words children learn! Perhaps as adults we confuse saying NO with being selfish and uncooperative but as a means of protection and self-care it is one of the most simple and decisive strategies.
As the saying goes ‘NO is a complete sentence that requires no explanation’
Giving yourself permission to say NO is recognition you are prioritising and focusing on what is important. It determines clear boundaries for those around you to respect and it creates space for you to identify the things you actually want say to YES to.
It is frequently seen as a negative word, but NO is one of the most positive gifts you can give yourself. We often don’t learn this lesson until we are in overwhelming situations when it becomes a matter of survival. Then it is a reaction, one of self-preservation, but if we can understand and harness the power of declaring NO it becomes a potent skill in our tool-box for life.
Saying NO communicates an empowering and compelling message to our mind and soul, that we are important and I am prepared to draw the line and stand up for myself. And the truth is if we don’t take care of ourselves we are not much good to those around us.
It is also one of the most authoritative leadership abilities. Leadership is more about saying NO than YES. Every NO generates conviction and persuasion for the right occasion to say YES.
Such a small, simple and yet commanding and influential word – NO.
Adopt it into your mind-set and vocabulary today.