Nick Powills: Those Who Don’t Accomplish Their Goals Listened to the ‘No’

Do you know what I believe is the most powerful tool we have? Choice. That’s it, choice.

We have the choice to do many things in our life. While certainly some things are not in our control, the choice about how to respond is.

In my opinion, the biggest difference between those who win and those who don’t is choice. Sure, there are some other factors to unpack in that term—like response, reaction, motivation—but it all begins with you deciding that you are going to own the day.

Throughout my career, I have heard all of the excuses—from those who I work with internally (teammates) and those who I work with externally (clients, entrepreneurs).  “The reason I didn’t accomplish X is because of blah, blah, blah.” Not true. It’s because you listened to no—either from someone else or from yourself.

No, I will not make another phone call. No, I won’t put down that cookie. No, I am unwilling or too lazy to accomplish that goal.

What would happen if all those nos turned into yes? Would that change the outcome? 

You bet.

Do you know how many times I have been told no? Not just in my past (those moments are fuel for me breaking through business brick walls today), but also in my present. No by staff. No by clients. No by peers. Nos are all over my world. The second I start listening to them is the second I start sliding backwards.

In this life, I am motivated to create great things. I am chasing this—not just for myself, but also for my family. Thus, I am choosing to not listen to nos. I am choosing to charge forward and create. I am choosing to not be one who didn’t accomplish their dreams.

Dreams turn into reality when you start buying into yes. That’s my choice. What’s yours?