Can you remember saying ‘YES’ to a request, idea, opinion or suggestion by a friend, family member, relative or boss only to wish you had said ‘NO’ ?
We have been brought up in a society that demands that we say ‘YES’ to our friends, parents, relatives and bosses even when they are wrong. This is unacceptable!
Most of us, me included feel guilty when we say ‘NO’ than when you say ‘YES’ to our friends, family members, relatives or even our bosses.
I have learnt that, there are numerous occasions when ‘NO’ should be used to create tranquility in us than answering ‘YES’.
Most of the time you answer ‘YES’ to your parents or relatives fearing that they will disown you if you say ‘NO’.
I have been a victim of this feeling. I have learnt to say ‘NO’ to things that are not inline with my goals and aspirations. This definitely offends relatives, but it allows me to make firm and constructive decisions in my life.
Do not allow yourself to say ‘YES’ to your boss due to insecurity or fear of losing the job. If you know you are right, stand firm on ‘NO’ and you will not regret in future.
Look at scenarios below where a ‘NO’ answer could have a completely opposite outcome.
If a girl said ‘NO’ to a man, she could have avoided an unwanted pregnancy.
If a public servant said ‘NO’ to a bribe, there could be no corruption.
If bankers said ‘NO’ to greed of making a kill from loans and mortgages, there could have been no recession in 2009.
If stock brokers said ‘NO’ to greed, collapse of stock broking houses could be averted.
The above are just few examples where ‘NO’ could avert big losses and life disrupting events.
Learn to say ‘NO’.
Say ‘NO’ to yourself
Most of the time, you are your own enemy.
The real or imagined problems that you are experiencing in your life are directly created by yourself rather than external forces.
These problems are as a result of saying ‘YES’ to negative thinking patterns.
You have not learnt to say ‘NO’ to your negative thoughts. These thoughts have led you to disastrous circumstances.
If you garnered courage to say ‘NO’ to such thoughts you could be making unassailable strides in your relationship, financial and career life.
Lets look at few situations where negative, unfounded imaginations and thought can cause a lot of anguish in your life.
Imagine agreeing with the thought that; it is your colleague who is causing your downfall?
Imagine acknowledging the thought that; you will be happy if you switch partners.
Imagine agreeing with the unfounded thought that; your partner is cheating on you.
Visualize acknowledging the imagination that; God will speak to you directly if you switch churches.
Normally these thoughts seem good, real, truthful and even genuine. However, most of the time, they do not stand the test of time.
The best way to respond to any thought is to allow time before acting.
Thought is only valid after testing it on several occasions. If it stands the test of time, it is therefore sensible to act on it.
Never act on a thought on the spur of a moment. Taking action on thoughts at the spur of a moment, may lead to regrets in future.
Say ‘NO’ to quick fixes.
We are living in times when everybody is looking for quick fix to all life issues.
People are not willing to be patient or to walk up the ‘staircase’ to the ‘top floor’. People are looking for a ‘lift’ even to the first floor.
I agree with the old adage that says that; if the deal is too good, think thrice and fourth time.
If people learnt to say ‘NO’ to making quick riches by following pyramid schemes or Mardoff, they could not be crying foul.
Learn to delay gratification by saying ‘NO’.
I am yet to see anyone dead of working hard, saving money, patience and honesty.
People who employ the above principles in life are viewed as naïve, ignorant and unwise. But they stand out from the crowd in the long run.
Learn to say ‘NO’ when necessary and your life will improve to a great extent.
If you like this, you can read similar articles at www.changeyourt.com. If you would like to receive similar articles straight in your email, you can subscribe on top left corner by clicking on change your T.
Related posts:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this
THANKS BRO i have printed so that all can see and read message clearly. to me it is a challenge.
This is very true