We became allergic to the word "No" when we were young and now all of us don't like to hear that word when others say it to us. And, our aversion to the word "No" doesn't stop there. Many of us, at least from time to time, don't like to say the word "No" to others. Often, when we say "No" to other people, we feel guilt...it's as if the word "No" delivers pain to both the person who hears it and the person who says it.

So – often, “No” is thought but not said.

This leads to many problems.

Some examples – 

When people think “No” but don’t say it: 

• they are conflicted in their minds and this can result in worry-anxiety – this is especially true when the inconsistency between thought and action involve moral/ethical issues [i.e., in the zones of ego, self-image, self-esteem]
• they can be overworked because they become the dumping ground for others’ unwanted tasks
• their lives can be frenetic because they get pulled in many directions by many people
• sometimes others are confused or put off because the actions they see don’t match words they hear [or don’t hear] - sometimes honesty is questions [and that can go to the core of personal values]
• sometimes others might be compromised due to relying on false information

These are just a handful of the problems that happen when people have trouble saying “no” to others. Likely, you can rhyme off several more…from your personal experiences and your observation of other people who have struggled to say the word “No”. 

Then, pose a question to yourself – 

In the future, will I say “No” when that’s the word that needs to be said?

Footnote 

another article

Put your foot down...