Using the Power of “No” To Get What You Want

Have you heard of the Bravo network’s reality tv show “Bethenny Ever After”? This show is all about the NY Times best-selling author, celebrity chef, lifestyle brand maven, and creator of the “Skinnygirl Margarita“, Bethenny Frankel, and her crazy life with her husband Jason, and daughter Bryn. I’m a huge fan of the show, and really admire Bethenny‘s work ethic, and well-deserved success. In Bethenny‘s latest book (which I have yet to read, but I’m working on it) entitled, “A Place of Yes”, she shares “ten rules for pursuing your goals with authenticity and drive”.

“It’s easy to say ‘no’, to say I can’t, to expect the worst, and to doubt yourself. But life can be better than “not bad” or good enough. It can be amazing.” ~ Bethenny Frankel

I love the idea of “A Place of Yes”. The idea that you should always say yes, my dreams are possible, yes, I can accomplish my goals, yes, I can have, and deserve to have the life that I’ve always wanted.

But, the flip side to the ‘Yes’ that gets you want you want for your career, business, and personal life, is the power of the word, ‘No’, that will prevent you from getting off track.

At the beginning of 2011, inspired by Chris Brogan, I wrote a blog post about my three words for the year, that will help to direct my path and choices throughout the year. One of those words was, discernment. To me, discernment means, knowing when to say yes, and when to say no. I’ve found that the things that I say ‘no’ to in my life, business, and career, are equally as important as the things that I say ‘yes’ to.

As I get older and wiser, I learn more and more everyday, how empowering it is to say ‘no’. So, I believe that you can use the power of ‘NO’, to get the life that you want.

Say ‘NO’ to:

– Negative people and environments
– Distractions
– Self-Doubt
– Desperation
– Settling
– Useless opportunities
– Working for free
– Naysayers
– Fear
– Unhealthy eating
– Lack of exercise
– Smoking
– Overworking
– Unhealthy relationships
– Debt

With life being short, and all of us having a limited amount of time each day to accomplish our goals, handle our responsibilities, and spend quality time with loved ones, saying ‘no’ is something that we all need to become a lot more comfortable with. Saying ‘No’ to the wrong things for your life or your business, will empower you, open you up, and free you up, to say ‘Yes’ to right things.

What else do you want to say ‘No’ to today? Leave a comment below, with your list of No’s, and share this post on Facebook and Twitter.