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No Means No!
Is it easier for you to say "yes" or "no"?
If you are like most people, "no" is a difficult word to use. Saying "no" is like telling someone they are bad or wrong. "No" seems to mean you reject them.
However, if you can't say "no," you will have many difficulties.
Financial Uses for "No"
You cannot build wealth if you cannot say "no."
For example, if you manage finances for a business or organization, you probably know how often people try to get you to say "yes." Yet if you agree to every financial request, your group will soon go broke.
"It is up to a financial manager to be very, very, very tough and to learn how to say no, no, no, no. In fact, it would be a very good thing if he stood in front of a mirror for ten or fifteen minutes a day saying `no.'" -- L. Ron Hubbard
If you are the financial manager for a business or group, you must say "no" for the sake of your organization.
Even if you do not manage a group's finances, you ARE the financial manager of your personal finances. You also need to learn to say "no." If you cannot say "no," you never build any wealth.
Time Uses for "No"
Like money, your time must be used wisely to build your success. In fact, your time is your most valuable resource and must be spent wisely. Yet your decisions may not always be popular with others.
You've probably heard statements like these:
"To get along, you need to go along."
"If you like me, you'll say yes."
"Work with me here and don't rock the boat!"
To move ahead, you MUST say "no" to non-productive activities.
"No, sorry, I don't want to get drunk tonight."
"I'd love to watch TV, but no, I'm going to study."
"Do I want to slow down and wait? Nope!"
Personal Uses for "No"
The most difficult person to say "no" to is yourself. However, like starting yourself and changing yourself, self-control requires you to stop yourself.
Breaking a bad habit is simply a matter of saying "no."
"No, sorry, I won't eat that box of chocolate donuts."
"No, I will not use my credit card to buy that new stereo system."
"No, I don't smoke now."
Telling yourself "no" is also essential to your success.
"No, it's not time to quit working and go home."
"No, this job is not perfect yet."
"No, I WILL reach my goals."
Recommendations
1. Write down situations when you should say "no" regarding money.
2. Write down instances when you should say "no" regarding time.
3. Write down examples when you should say "no" regarding your personal habits.
4. Say "no" to a mirror for ten or fifteen minutes.
5. Say "no" to yourself and others in every situation listed above. Say "no" to weakness, failure and waste.
6. If you say "yes" or "maybe" when you should say "no," repeat L. Ron Hubbard's advice and say "no" to a mirror for ten or fifteen more minutes.
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