#253 Embrace the Word "No"

Ohio University Football

Dustin and I recently had the opportunity to speak to the football team at Ohio University. Shout out to the OU program for supporting Max Effort Muscle.

During the Q&A session, one of the players asked us, “What do we do when we hear the word No?” 

To be straight, you’re probably going to be told “No” more times than “Yes.” That being said, it’s all about how you respond.

Are you going to fold? Or are you going to flip it, reframe it, and use that “No” as fuel? Using “No” as a chip on your shoulder can be a powerful motivational tool.

I’ve Been Told “No” a Million Times

I’ve been told “No” so many times throughout my career that I’m probably more conditioned to the word than most.

One of the first instances that comes to mind is the cover model stuff I was into. Talk about being told “No” literally all the time. I was repeatedly told that I was too small. It didn’t help that I wasn’t on drugs and people had no clue who I was.

Then, when I finally was told “Yes,” I fucked that opportunity up when I showed up super bloated and soft to the photo shoot. Fortunately, I was given another opportunity with the same photographer and absolutely murdered it next time.

You NEED the No’s

You need the “No’s.” The “No’s” help push you to go get it. Embrace it.

No is a part of the process. What good would come from being told “Yes” all the time? What would you learn? How would you grow?

Being told “No” forces you to think. It takes you back to the drawing board to brainstorm different angles that you maybe didn’t see before.

EMBRACE NO

You’re going to be told “No” a lot… you might as well embrace it.

Your ideas, opinions, and work will be challenged. There will be people out there that won’t believe you. There’s never going to be a shortage of these motherfuckers out there. It’s just a part of the process.

I also think that it’s the universe’s way of testing us. Is this really what you want to do? It’s important to take this question very seriously because sometimes what you’re currently doing isn’t meant to be.

Don’t Get Butt Hurt

Don’t get all butt hurt and take things super personal. Do the best you can.

If you’re told no… use it to your advantage. Learn from it, get better from it, and use it as a source of motivation. Sometimes external motivation can trigger internal motivation. That’s the key.

Internal Motivation for the Win

What’s your internal source of motivation?

For me, it’s to change current and future generations of Gregory’s. It hasn’t changed since I started out. I’m always pushing for this. 

External sources of motivation can be great, but you can’t rely on these sources alone. You must turn in. You must find those internal sources of motivation that you can rely on, especially when things get tough. Those are the things that will get you through.