Being one to often belabour a point…
I’m not quite finished with this idea of NO as at least one of the keys to lifelong success.
This all started with a recent post by Seth Godin, that was then tweeted and facebooked by Jonathan Fields…
I commented on Jonathan’s Facebook post where he shared Godin’s blog post…
and that ignited a somewhat heated conversation on the topic.
Virtually everyone agreed with Godin that the art of saying no is indeed an important one to cultivate.
I mean how can you disagree with Seth Godin…the greatest guru of the connection age?
Fellow blogger Tom Morkes took a bold stand and agreed with my alternative and I guess controversial viewpoint.
He’s a guy that used to jump out of helicopters for a living, so I take it he has some guts.
But upon further reflection, maybe my point was a bit off base.
And that’s because what Seth was getting at and what I’m trying to say, are like comparing apples to oranges.
And certainly I would agree that the ability to focus on the important, while ignoring the not so, is important for business success.
It’s the old Pareto 80/20 principle at work.
But my gig is sort of the antithesis of all that.
In this blog you read about impact over interest…
about making economic success take the back seat to actions that will produce world changing impact.
“World changing” might mean the ability to enhance the life of a single stranger…
And I don’t believe that the art of no is functional towards that goal.
So, maybe Seth Godin and I are really talking about two different things?
The danger, as I see it, is that most folks probably don’t see it that way. They take no to extremes that extend way beyond just doing business…
they apply it to life in general.
closed universes.
We want to erect impenetrable force shields against all space invaders.
But it’s hard to have much, if any, real impact that way.
I think of the most dramatic impact mindfulness examples that have lived among us…
folks like Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
She allowed anyone and everyone into her universe. And we laud her for doing that…
but then we adopt the idea that WE shouldn’t.
I don’t really get it?
New Yorkers are especially known for their ability to do this. Fields lives in New York, so maybe that’s why he’s so “on-board” with the no idea.
Haven’t you ever seen examples where people are doing outrageously weird stuff on the busy streets of Manhattan and the folks just walk by without giving it a moment’s notice?
Their force shields activated and impenetrable…
But now really, is that the way to “experience” life?
We have a lot in common in that regard!
And I believe that this idea of NO as an art form ignores that fact.
Try opening up your universe by saying yes more often.
Let the space invaders in.
It might just be more impactful.
image credit: Alex Dram via Compfight cc
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the shout out.
After reading all the comments cheering on the concept of ‘no’ – and the way they were doing it…just made me think of all the gatekeepers these same people decry and say we should challenge / avoid / break through…
I understand the concept of focus – that’s important. But I think the point people interpreted, based on comments, was that we should say no to everything that’s not a part of our bottom line.
I hate that idea…
I try to say yes to every person I can when they ask for help because I was that person once, and I owe my (limited but growing) success to those generous people.
Which is why I’ll always take time out of my day to do interviews, write an email, give advice, point people in the right direction, or – if I can swing it – help directly.
It’s not a business techniques.
It’s about integrity.
We don’t need more gatekeepers.
Thanks for the article !
Not just integrity, but also impact. Your attitude makes you a revolutionary misfit…were you aware of that?? Thanks for the comment!