Understanding The Power Of NO: A Step Towards Self-Confidence

The power of No. What we are all so afraid of; rejection and what it means. The fear of hearing no fuels our insecurities. And when you understand the power no has, you’ll understand how you can begin to build up your self-confidence.

We fear no because we fear rejection and not being accepted. A simple no from one group or one person or even the thought that they just may say no, has enough power to keep us from taking leaps and enough power to make us make ourselves small. Basically igniting an imposter syndrome fire. That’s a powerful word, right? 

Read: Things To Remember When Imposter Syndrome Kicks In

Understand this, any no spoken or unspoken does not mean the end for you. It doesn’t mean you have to shrink yourself and it doesn’t mean you’re invisible. No is just a word it is not your worth. Extend yourself so you can reach your full potential. 

For 2022 I am refusing to be a prisoner to the idea of possible rejection. I am betting on myself and taking chances without limiting myself to certain boxes or circumstances. I won’t know it’s a no if I don’t ask. And even if I get a no, I recognize that it’s probably a no of many more to come, but it’s also a no on the path to yes. 

But first I have to say yes to myself before anyone else can have the chance to. 

The fear of hearing a potential No keeps us from taking chances and makes us limit our talents and creativities. It keeps us from applying to jobs and seeking better opportunities. It makes us walk with our heads down and makes us scared to even step out with our own company.  How can you ask someone to take a chance on you when you won’t even take a chance on yourself because you’re scared you might hear one word. 

Here are a few ways you can begin to improve your self-confidence and remove the power of NO from over your life

Improve your mindset and remove any negative thoughts 

(confidence starts from within and radiates outwards)

Realize who God says you are and stay there

(what He says about you is all that matters)

Remove any unrealistic expectations you or society has placed on you 

(those “milestones” you should have reached by now are false)

Recognize that life is about living and you can’t do that with fear

(life is literally too short to live it scared, go live your best life)

Remember that no is just a word and not your worth 

(read it again)

Remember that a no is on the path to a yes

(but you have to be willing to say yes to yourself first.)

These are only a few ways you can begin to build up your self-confidence. If I’m being honest, this is something that I just began working on this year (it’s only February). But, I can already see much improvement and happiness in my life. Imposter syndrome is so powerful and it can be such a dark cloud hovering over your life. I am now speaking up and holding my head high and no longer walking with that cloud over me. The first step to building your confidence is making the choice to do so. If you’ve read this blog post and made it this far, then you’ve already made the first step. You want to be confident and remove the power of no from your life. And I’m proud of you for that.

In what ways are you working to live a more confident life?