A full and powerful sentence consisting of a mere two letters. And, not exactly the most welcomed word in many cultures, for many reasons. The language architectures and culture structures program us. They act as externalised guidebooks about what is acceptable, allowed, true, or expected. By absorption. We come to behave in ways and according to measures that may be misaligned with our own inner compass. Our own truth.

What is right or wrong for us is only known to us. Therefore, only we can write the guidebook. We choose what works and does not work. Is it an exercise in experimentation? Of course. However, leveraging the word “No” as a tool facilitates progression. It can be terrifying if that simple two-letter word has been deeply carved into your psyche as heretical, disrespectful, or unsafe to try. Yet, with more and more practice, it becomes increasingly freeing and a sharp sword.

No performative acting required. An accompanying, strategic “thank you” at times works very well.