Comments on: The Power of No http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/ The Power of Appreciation Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:12:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Marta Cuminotto http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-719 Marta Cuminotto Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:46:44 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-719 Hi Mike, I loved your article The Power of No. I remember many years ago when I started my journey on self-improvement. One of the first books I read was, Saying Yes When You Want To Say No. Your article helped me take a trip down memory lane to my "No"beginnings and reminded me of my journey up to now and how I continue to work on saying No kindly. By nature I am a very warm-hearted person. I thank you for that. Hi Mike,

I loved your article The Power of No. I remember many years ago when I started my journey on self-improvement. One of the first books I read was, Saying Yes When You Want To Say No. Your article helped me take a trip down memory lane to my “No”beginnings and reminded me of my journey up to now and how I continue to work on saying No kindly. By nature I am a very warm-hearted person. I thank you for that.

]]> By: charlotte seager http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-688 charlotte seager Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:25:41 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-688 Another hard one is saying "stop" when someone is haranguing you on a subject already well covered, perhaps after my having said "no". I have learned to say "stop" in such a situation and the relationship has improved. In respecting myself enough to set up boundaries my partner is responding with more respect! Another hard one is saying “stop” when someone is haranguing you on a subject already well covered, perhaps after my having said “no”. I have learned to say “stop” in such a situation and the relationship has improved. In respecting myself enough to set up boundaries my partner is responding with more respect!

]]> By: Cristina http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-682 Cristina Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:41:07 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-682 I find it is not only authentically saying no out loud, but saying nothing. Just because someone calls, emails, or asks us a question, doesn't mean we have to respond immediately. Saying no, can simply mean not reacting. Taking our time to think. Sometimes, we can silently say no. It means taking care of ourselves when we don't know what to say to a loved one, boss, or friend. I've been hanging back lately and not reacting and it has met with wonderful outcomes. I can say no to someone else's sense of timing. Conversely, it means having patience when my question, request, is not reacted to on my time line. I find it is not only authentically saying no out loud, but saying nothing. Just because someone calls, emails, or asks us a question, doesn’t mean we have to respond immediately. Saying no, can simply mean not reacting. Taking our time to think. Sometimes, we can silently say no. It means taking care of ourselves when we don’t know what to say to a loved one, boss, or friend. I’ve been hanging back lately and not reacting and it has met with wonderful outcomes. I can say no to someone else’s sense of timing. Conversely, it means having patience when my question, request, is not reacted to on my time line.

]]> By: Barry Friedman http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-681 Barry Friedman Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:57:42 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-681 Amazing timing, Mike! Yesterday someone called and asked me to do something that I didn't really want to do and I said 'no'. I was so taken with my courage (why did that take courage?!?!) that I went and told my wife about it. I was almost shaking. Love your piece about this. I'm going to do it again, right now. Off I go! Barry 'only if I want to' Friedman Amazing timing, Mike!

Yesterday someone called and asked me to do something that I didn’t really want to do and I said ‘no’.

I was so taken with my courage (why did that take courage?!?!) that I went and told my wife about it. I was almost shaking.

Love your piece about this. I’m going to do it again, right now. Off I go!

Barry ‘only if I want to’ Friedman

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-679 Jennifer Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:09 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-679 This issue comes up for me at work more frequently than I'd care to admit. I think part of the reason it's hard to say no does have to do with the culture and what is considered acceptable, but, definitely also comes from my own fears of letting others down and/or not appearing to be cooperative. And, deep in the recesses of my mind (not to mention in the midst of an ongoing recession) is a fear that not submitting could mean loss of employment or recognition. I have been saying no more lately though, and it's very freeing. It helps when you can keep yourself from worrying about what others are thinking. That seems to be the biggest hurdle. Then again, that's probably a whole post in and of itself! This issue comes up for me at work more frequently than I’d care to admit. I think part of the reason it’s hard to say no does have to do with the culture and what is considered acceptable, but, definitely also comes from my own fears of letting others down and/or not appearing to be cooperative. And, deep in the recesses of my mind (not to mention in the midst of an ongoing recession) is a fear that not submitting could mean loss of employment or recognition.

I have been saying no more lately though, and it’s very freeing. It helps when you can keep yourself from worrying about what others are thinking. That seems to be the biggest hurdle. Then again, that’s probably a whole post in and of itself!

]]> By: Pamela http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-678 Pamela Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:56:02 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-678 Being authentic in all realms leads to greatest alignment, but the word "no" is not used much in my corporate workplace. Culturally, seen as not being partner-oriented or cooperative/productive. Diverting to offering other options is what is supported versus the - at times more authentic - no. Just an observation... Being authentic in all realms leads to greatest alignment, but the word “no” is not used much in my corporate workplace. Culturally, seen as not being partner-oriented or cooperative/productive. Diverting to offering other options is what is supported versus the - at times more authentic - no. Just an observation…

]]> By: Mary McManus http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/2010/03/the-power-of-no/#comment-676 Mary McManus Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:49:30 +0000 http://www.mike-robbins.com/blog/?p=229#comment-676 Dear Mike - I am constantly amazed at the synchronicity of your blog. There have been a series of happenings in my life in which I have needed to find the courage to say no. For years I said yes to everyone but myself and I like to think of saying no to someone else as saying yes to me. I was such a yes woman that my body finally let me know this was unacceptable and I was diagnosed with post polio syndrome. BUT once I started saying no to others and yes to myself I did experience incredible healing of mind, body and spirit. It is incredibly freeing to listen to my authentic self and say no. Most recently, I was having a lot of contact with my in laws. When I am talking with them or with them I find that I am playing a role to satisfy them and when I am authentic they become enraged and critical. So I finally had to say no to any more contact with them and I feel so liberated as does my husband. And you know what? When I say no to the people and situations which do not honor my true self, it makes room for the people with whom I can be my true self and with whom I can flourish and grow and live a life in the Spirit to come flooding in. Dear Mike - I am constantly amazed at the synchronicity of your blog. There have been a series of happenings in my life in which I have needed to find the courage to say no. For years I said yes to everyone but myself and I like to think of saying no to someone else as saying yes to me. I was such a yes woman that my body finally let me know this was unacceptable and I was diagnosed with post polio syndrome. BUT once I started saying no to others and yes to myself I did experience incredible healing of mind, body and spirit. It is incredibly freeing to listen to my authentic self and say no. Most recently, I was having a lot of contact with my in laws. When I am talking with them or with them I find that I am playing a role to satisfy them and when I am authentic they become enraged and critical. So I finally had to say no to any more contact with them and I feel so liberated as does my husband. And you know what? When I say no to the people and situations which do not honor my true self, it makes room for the people with whom I can be my true self and with whom I can flourish and grow and live a life in the Spirit to come flooding in.

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