4 Reasons Saying ‘No’ Is The Ultimate Power Move

reason saying no

The word NO is not just a word, it is a whole sentence in itself. Even though, saying ‘No’ is considered to be a negative thing, saying it in certain situations is imperative. Saying ‘NO’ to someone shows that you know your worth and you are not intimidated to go after what you want and completely deserve. If you constantly say yes to everything and everyone, it will be very easy for people to exploit and take advantage of you.

It was obvious they were offering me a dead-end job, not a career opportunity. They thought I was going to jump at the chance to work for them, but they were in for a rude awakening. “No Thank You. I appreciate you thinking of me but I don’t believe I am the right candidate for your needs.” Just like that, I said, “NO.” It was a revelation.

Some people thought I was crazy for turning down the secure salary to continue forging my own path as an entrepreneur. When they asked me why I didn’t take the position I would simply say, “why to say ‘Yes’ when you can say ‘No’.” Most didn’t know how to react to my declaration, looking at me with concern and worry wondering if I had lost my mind, while others seemed intrigued.

Saying ‘No’ is your best defense against imbalance, burnout, and exploitation. It may sound counter-intuitive but it’s true. Sadly, ‘No’ is an extremely undervalued tool with immense power. The correct use of a strategic ‘No’ can be the difference between elevating yourself to the next level OR allowing yourself to get caught up in a situation that drains you.

Ultimately if you protect yourself, you protect your power.

Related: Stop Saying “Yes” When You Actually Want to Say “No” 

Here are 4 reasons why saying ‘No’ is the ultimate power move:

1. “No” Creates A Boundary.

Everyone needs healthy boundaries. Those boundaries need to be clearly defined and easy to identify. When you say ‘Yes’ all the time those boundaries become undefined & blurry. People will begin to assume that no matter what they ask you will always say ‘Yes’. Being thought of as a ‘Yes’ man is highly disadvantageous because it is easy for people to unintentionally take advantage of you since they know you will agree to whatever they ask.

A well-thought-out ‘No’ protects you from having the unchecked needs of others foisted on you at a moment’s notice. It is not your responsibility to fulfill everyone else’s needs. Remembering you have ‘No’ at your disposal will empower you to honor your boundaries.

2. “No” States Your Position.

Sometimes trying to politely decline doesn’t work. You could do your best to use flowery language to communicate that you are not interested, but fail to be heard. Understandably, you may hesitate to use the power of ‘No’ because you’re afraid of being perceived as rude or aggressive. However, it is your responsibility to truthfully state your position with confidence especially if you are not interested in the opportunity presented.

“NO” is a complete sentence. It does not require an explanation to follow. You can truly answer someone’s request with a simple No.” – Sharon E. Rainey

In many cases, the only thing you can say that will accurately communicate your disinterest in an opportunity is ‘No’. In a business negotiation, ‘No’ establishes your position and underscores your non-negotiables. In life ‘No’ voids an entire set of options, and narrows your trajectory. Arriving at these ‘Nos’ can be liberating because they are grounded in the invaluable data you collected from considering all the possible benefits and drawbacks of saying ‘Yes’.

When you give yourself permission to evaluate an opportunity through the lens of ‘No’ it is easier to examine the full spectrum of possibilities good & bad. Whereas, when you evaluate an opportunity through the lens of ‘Yes’ the examination can be skewed towards identifying only the positives associated with the choice.

3. “No” Gives You Leverage.

Anytime you employ the strategic power of ‘No’ you are at an advantage. You know what someone else needs and the urgency with which they wish to have that need met.

You are then given an opportunity to leverage what you know to your benefit, by presenting them with an alternative that is mutually beneficial. ‘No’ gives you time to evaluate the best way for you to say ‘Yes,’ putting you in control.

4. “No” Protects You From Yourself.

Everyone wants to be liked, but at what cost? Always saying ‘yes’ to your boss, partner, children, and friends is a one-way ticket to resentment-town. Saying ‘yes’ all the time creates an unsustainable dynamic in your relationships that causes an energetic imbalance.

As the Yogi’s say you need to “Drink as you pour.” It is unsustainable to be in constant service of others without pausing to be in service to yourself. In order to put yourself first, you have to stop saying ‘YES’ to everything.

“When you say no to the wrong people, it opens up the space for the right people to come in.” – Joe Calloway

Saying “No” is both an act of compassion for others and individual self-preservation.

Ultimately saying ‘No’ is a critical asset on your success journey. Knowing how and when to assert yourself is an art. One must practice employing the power of ‘No’ in order to gain comfort and confidence. Even though collaboration and cooperation are essential to our collective success, that doesn’t mean you have to dance every time the band plays.

Related: 11 Promises You Should Make to Yourself and Keep 

Not every opportunity is a good one. Mastering the strategic use of ‘No’ requires a basic level of self-awareness and a desire to evaluate every opportunity that presents itself. If you are willing to slow down your process to engage in this act of intentional evaluation it can revolutionize the way you approach business & life.

Having the ability to strategically exercise the power of ‘No’ frees you from the obligation of having to take on more than is required, personally & professionally. Itching to learn how to empower yourself to say ‘No’?  Visit www.AwildaRivera.com.

Want to know more about the power of saying ‘no’? Check this video out below!

saying ‘no’

Written By Awilda Rivera
Originally Published In Medium
4 Reasons Why You Should Say No More Often
4 Reasons Why You Should Say No More Often
4 Reasons Why You Should Say No More Often
4 Reasons Why You Should Say No More Often
reason saying no pin

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply



Up Next

How To Not Hate Your Body: 4 Ideas That Work

How To Not Hate Your Body: Ideas That Work

How to not hate your body? What can you do if your aim is improving your body image? Dealing with body image issues is challenging, to say the least. However, it is possible to stop hating your body without losing a single pound or focusing on the weighing scale. Let’s explore how to stop hating your body and loving yourself more.

Sometimes I get emails that tear me up with their honesty and vulnerability, recently I received one that particularly touched me.

“I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your podcast! I always look forward to the 20-30 minutes where I can just relax and listen to your discussion.



Up Next

8 Body Flaws Men Find Irresistibly Attractive In Women

Body Flaws Men Find Irresistibly Attractive In Women

Today we are going to explore a topic that’s not just interesting, but honestly, a bit heart warming too! We are going to talk about the “imperfections” and “body flaws” which women feel awkward about, but men absolutely love!

You know what I mean; the tiny body flaws that we are convinced make us less attractive. As women, we often regard them as shortcomings or things that take away from our beauty, but they are the very things that many men fall in love with.

So, let us plunge into this and find out what are those “body flaws” that men really adore about us, and what men think about women’s bodies.



Up Next

5 Signs You Are Afraid Of Being Seen: Invisible Walls

Signs You Are Afraid Of Being Seen: Invisible Walls

Do you ever feel like you are afraid of being seen, and that’s why you have erected several walls around you so that no one can see your vulnerable side? This article is going to explore five signs you are afraid of being seen and what the fear of being seen really means.

Deep down, most of us want to be seen and accepted for who we are. Showing up fully in your relationships and allowing yourself to be seen is a vulnerable experience that requires you to let your guard down.

On the one hand, taking such a risk can feel incredibly anxiety-provoking, while on the other hand, not taking such a risk can cause your relationships to feel stagnant and block them from growing.



Up Next

Dating With Low Self Esteem? 6 Tips For Navigating The Dating Scene with Confidence

Dating With Low Self Esteem? Tips For Being More Confident

Ah, the exciting universe of dating! Dating in the modern world can feel like a rollercoaster filled with thrilling emotions and fluttering hearts. But what do you do when you suffer from low self esteem? What does it look like, dating with low self esteem?

Dating with low self esteem can feel as difficult as trying to solve a Rubik’s cube with one hand tied behind your back. Interactions may be marred by negative self-perceptions which can make you doubt your worth and desirability. However, don’t let that scare you, because low self-esteem does not necessarily mean doom.

In this article, we are going to t



Up Next

How Do Dogs Help with Depression: Exploring 5 Pawsitive Impacts!

How Do Dogs Help with Depression: Psychological Benefits!

The attachment that humans make with dogs goes beyond affability. To learn how do dogs help with depression is to consider not only the happiness they bring but also their deeper healing capacities for mental health

In the present fast-paced and challenging world where mental well-being is as important as physical fitness. The connection between humans and dogs is both ancient and deep. For centuries these creatures have been more than pets; they have been trusted friends, company during difficult times, unfailing love, etc.

This articl



Up Next

What Is Dismissive Avoidant Attachment: 5 Alarming Traits And Ways To Cope

What Is Dismissive Avoidant Attachment Style: Traits

Are you or someone you care about finding it tough to open up about feelings and build close connections with others? Despite your best efforts, you seem to self-destruct in relationships.  If these scenarios sound familiar, you might be dealing with what is dismissive-avoidant attachment

This pattern often begins in early childhood and is not something one can consciously control. Individuals with a dismissive-avoidant attachment style might not fully understand why they face challenges in relationships or tend to distance themselves from intimacy.

The good news is that there are ways to navigate and overcome these struggles. In this article, we’ll delve into the dynamics of dismissive-avoidant attachment, offering insights and st



Up Next

What Does It Mean To Be Autosexual? 6 Signs You Are Sexually Attracted To Yourself

What Does It Mean To Be Autosexual? Signs You Might Be One

In a world that is constantly growing and changing, especially when it comes to sexual orientation and identity, it’s important to come to terms with all the different ways humans can be human. Some people see themselves in the mirror and feel deep love and attraction. Well, that might be a sign of autosexuality. But what does it mean to be autosexual?

They don’t need someone to tell them they are attractive, but those people exist, and something like that has a name — autosexuality. Rather than caring about others, this orientation looks directly at one’s own pleasure sexually.

In this article we will