what’s the first thing you do when you hear the word “no“?
a natural inclination is to raise a question,
yet we’ve been programmed over the years to obey without questioning that we bite our tongues at the thought of it…
follow your heart + open your mouth.
fuck asking questions in your head or assuming you know the answer when you don’t to avoid looking a certain way.
ask them anyway. say those words out loud:
can you clarify…?
ok. can you point me in the direction of additional resources regarding…?
thank you. is there more information on how to…?
cool. do you know where i can…?
i respect your decision. do you have any suggestions as to what/where/who/how…?
you don’t have to assume you know or struggle to find an answer when you can simply ask.
it’s the audacity of asking genuine questions that can open doors passivity could never.
you owe it to yourself to investigate, to find a way to keep going when a “no” creeps into your path.
whether or not you get the answer you seek doesn’t matter at this point.
can people say “no” without an explanation? absolutely!
will it hurt to ask more questions for clarity’s sake? not even a little bit!
asking questions isn’t about changing minds + hearts, it’s about seeking clarity.
you’re here to learn.
accept the “no” for a “no” while also understanding that the person may have additional information that can help you get to where you want to go.
maybe they can’t help you personally, but they may know someone who can!
by asking questions — by not allowing a “no” to be the end all, be all — you are deciding to become an active participant in your life,
a major step to living life on your own terms + a vital move in building community/connection.
you are unstoppable, fam + that little ass “no” cannot stop you from getting what’s for you… unless you allow it to hold that type of power.
keep learning,
keep growing,
+ keep asking all of the questions, fam!
be you, be dope!
Phylicia Sadsarin
Mindset Coach
journal prompt(s) for today:
when you are unsure, do you ask follow up questions after you hear a “no”?
if not, what keeps you from seeking clarity?
if so, recall a time when you did + recount how it made you feel.