I never really thought too much about the word "no" until a few months ago, during an awards ceremony. The presenter was giving out an award to a female student, stating that one of the best qualities about her was "she never said no."
I at first ignored the statement, merely furrowing my eyebrows in confusion and then clapping along with everyone else. But when another person presented an award to another female student and stated the same so-called compliment, "she never said no," I knew that it did not settle right with me.
And so I have compiled just a few reasons as to why saying no is sometimes important.
1. You Will Not Get Stepped On
People often make the mistake of correlating kindness with always saying yes. That is not in the case. In fact, by using your ability to say no, people stop taking you for granted and stop taking advantage of you.
2. It's Extremely Liberating
With your newfound ability to say no, you find yourself free and liberated from the mistaken social construct that you have to say yes to everything. By saying no, you are taking the power from the person asking the favor back to you again, making you the one who is independent and in control.
3. Your Priorities Are Finally Straight
Having too many responsibilities can be overwhelming and downright exhausting. Sometimes, you have to put yourself first and accept that you will have to say no to a friend's favor, especially if it negatively impacts your mental state and health. Relax, and enjoy some "me-time!"
4. You Are Respected More
People who are willing to sometimes say no are viewed as strong confident individuals who know what they want in life. Plus, once you are a "no" expert, when you do say yes, people value your help much more.
5. You Can Begin to Stand Up for Others
Once you get the hang of saying no, you start to observe the actions and behaviors of people around you, realizing that many people struggle with declining. So start helping people out, and let them know that they are important and do not have to burden themselves with others' work at the expense of themselves.
If there is one word that holds the most power, it is the two lettered "no." It is an act of defiance, an act of standing up for yourself, and an act of leadership. When used correctly, it can boost your confidence, and can lead you to a path of independence.
