A “no” can mean a lot of things.
It can mean that you’re wrong or that you’re right.
It can mean you’re way off course or completely on track.
It can mean that you’re threatening or that you’re misguided.
It can mean that you need to try harder and it can mean that it’s time to give up.
It can mean that you asked too soon or too late, that your story had no mojo or that you happened to ask on the wrong day.
A “no” by virtue of being a “no” tells you very little. A “no” is deeply subject to interpretation. Its “no-ness” is not inherently meaningful.
But knowing what a “no” does to you – now that could be valuable. If no’s makes you slow down, shy away, and question yourself, that’s something you want to know. If no’s save you from wasting time but you often forget to listen, you want to know that too. If no’s cause you to push harder and to want to prove others wrong…yup, knowing that is important too.
Does a “no” attract you or repel you? Does it have gravitational force or refractive powers? Does it stop you in your tracks or add fuel to the fire?
What do you know about how you react to a “no”?
Very powerful questions. Thanks!
Wow. I never considered how little information a no really conveys and how much meaning I was giving it. Thank you for this post!