The Secret, Unharnessed Power of "No."
The price is too high.I can't commit to that timeframe.You can't be serious with that offer.
It doesn't matter if it's a hostage negotiation, if you're buying a used car, or if you're convincing your boss that your idea is actually her idea . . .The words "no," "can't," and "won't," are just starting points.They're not the end of the conversation, they're the beginning.If your goal is a win/win situation, you won't get there with just "yes" and you won't get there by bullying.It requires empathy which means doing the work to truly understand your counter's point of view.Just to be clear:
- A compromise is a lose/lose strategy.
- Bullying is a win/lose strategy.
- Backing down and just saying "yes" is a lose/win strategy.
2 Minute Action
Before you agree to any terms today, legal or personal, ask why the terms are the way they are.You might just learn what your counter-part values enough to both get what you want without compromise.
How To See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
You're working hard.You have your head down.You're doing all the right things.You're checking all the boxes.Nothing is happening.
Either one of two things is happening:
- You're missing something.
- It's coming.
If it's #1, you're probably going to need some help figuring it out. You may want to consult an expert or a mentor who has more context or insight into what you're doing and can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.If it's #2, please remember this powerful line from the book Zen in The Art of Archery that reads something like:
"To the arrow about to take swift and purposeful flight, it must feel like nothing is happening."
2 Minute Action
If you're feeling like it's #1, reach out to colleague or mentor for a quick 15-minute conversation.If you're feeling like it's #2, take a deep breath, get back to it.It's now 2018 and the world is more connected than ever.You have everything you need to build something bigger than yourself that will help others.
Why You Actually Should Get Rich
I was recently in a meeting with a client who was criticizing the cash flow of a project.Basically, she was saying that we weren’t helping enough people because we were a “for-profit” project.I can see this point of view, I spent some time in academia after all
The trouble here is her assumption that money is the only or top goal.
Money is a tool, just like any other resource. We just get it directly from our customers, and you get it from donors or government stipends.But guess where that donation came from?Someone built a business and then invested the earnings on Wall Street—and then decided to donate to you.If you got your money from the government, the money can from taxpayer dollars.
Here’s the punchline, people:
You can’t help people if you’re broke.In fact, you might not even be able to help yourself.Money is oxygen. It will fuel everything you want to do. It the means to an end—get this inverted and you will be very unhappy.It’s what you want to do with that resource that’s the important part to focus on.Yes. You should get rich.Then take that money and use it to solve problems for people.
2 Minute Action
How are you building your financial security and stability?Take 2 minutes right now to download an investment app like Stash or Acorns or iBillionaire.You don’t have to spend a whole day looking at Black Rock mutual funds. You can do that later over a slow weekend.Just take this moment to consider your financial trajectory and if that maps to your vision for where you want to be.If the answer is “I don’t know,” or “I don’t have a vision,” then you know where you need to start.