Level Up: The Power of Saying "No"

Our willingness to say “no” shapes our character and establishes boundaries that reflect our values. By courageously declining what doesn’t serve us, we gain clarity and freedom to become our most authentic selves.

Tell me what you have said “no” to and I will tell you who you are.

The core of your being is shaped from those moments, large and small, when the simplest of words passes from your lips. With only two-letters and almost globally understood, the word “no” carries an immense weight—and one we wield all too sparingly.

Let’s be honest, it has and always will be easier to just say yes—no matter to whom or to what it is being directed. Each day brings a multitude of yes’s and only a spattering, if any, of no’s. Again and again, we say yes when we want to (and should) say no. Countless reasons exist to say yes, but while the reasons to say no are fewer, they are often more compelling.

We limit our potential when we let the word “yes” chart our trajectory. Growth from the path of least resistance will only get you so far until you become mired in the mud of mediocrity. Sacrificing peace in order to placate others is not an even exchange. The long-term consequences of such behavior are so damaging and difficult to unwind that it is better the habit never forms.

No one wants to squander an opportunity and yet going with the flow can often be a detriment to our own psyche. The ill-fitting prospect that deposits currency but drains you of energy and positivity? Not worth it.

Consciously associate with only the people who make you a better person and who expect nothing less than your authentic self. The ones that whine, take advantage, and guilt trip you into doing x, y, or z? Not worth it.

We possess a finite amount of energy and time, and that should be the currency with which our decisions are made. Foster the discernment to make the choice best for you and reap the gifts of freedom and clarity that come after. Make the concerted effort to chart your own path and who you were always meant to be—will emerge.

The boundaries we form and cling to and are courageous enough to uphold even when the pressure builds and the unknown lurks, form the foundation of who we are. Values without boundaries are lip service.

The act of saying no can be inconsequential or rebellious. Let your mouth become accustomed to its form and substance so that when it matters most, your voice will not waver, will not falter. It will wrap itself in the cloak of values, boundaries, and what is right.

Each of us must come to terms with the life we have built, and what we have welcomed and made space for. Let go of what no longer serves you. Release the tethers that bind you from reaching your full potential.

Say the word that will set you apart and set you free.

Now I ask you again, tell me what you have said “no” to and I will tell you who you are.