“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

Will Rogers

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“Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it.”

Winston Churchill

Photo by Luis Alves

We’ve all had those situations in which we wanted to hear someone say “yes” but we got a “no” instead. Most leave it at that but you shouldn’t, it’s not the end.

Here is what you can do to change a “no” into a “maybe,” “okay,” or a “yes.”

Prepare for a “no”

You should definitely be optimistic and expect a “yes” but also have a plan B ready if you do get a “no.” Sometimes there are small windows of opportunity seconds or minutes after a no is said that you don’t want to miss. Without a plan B, you most certainly will.

Keep the conversation alive

This also has to do with having a backup plan. You don’t want the conversation to go “cold,” and the person to quickly lose interest. It is best to respond to a “no” within anywhere from 30 seconds to a week. A longer than that and most people have already moved on.

Compromise

Find out why the person said “no” and see what they wanted you to say, do, or offer instead. Don’t give up what you want, but find a middle ground so that both of your needs are met.

Get the door slightly opened

With a compromise you’ll most likely turn a “no” into a “maybe” or an “I’ll think about it.” Once the door is slightly opened get your foot in there to keep it from closing. This is also a good time to keep the conversation alive. Ask a few more questions and some feedback from the person.

Indicate the pros for saying “yes”

Tell the no-sayer about all the positive things they will get from saying “yes” to you. In some instances there are selling points that people can’t see and you need to make them aware of those points.

Persist

Even if you’re trying to keep the conversation alive and the person isn’t responding to you, keep going. Write letters, send emails, or call her/him as often as you can without annoying or stalking them. Just like the rest of your journey to success you can’t give up. If you keep messaging them long enough, they are eventually going to respond to you. It may not be a positive response but at least you can know what you next step should be.

Once you get a “maybe,” “okay,” or a “yes” it still isn’t a done deal. You need to keep that “yes” from turning back into a “no.”

Reiterate the positives

Remind the person of all the great reasons why they said “yes” to you or your project.

Stay excited and enthusiastic

You can’t lose enthusiasm in yourself, the project, or whatever was given the yes. You will always be the one who is behind the project the most, so if you lose the excitement everyone else will follow.

Deliver

You must deliver on all the positives and promises you mentioned when it was still a no. If you can’t then that no could turn into something much angrier or it could turn into complete silence.

Be thankful

Be very thankful that the person gave you a “yes.” If this is a big deal, it could be the one chance that changes your life forever.

Photo by jepoirrier

“Write the bad things that happen to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble.”

Coleman Cox

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“Worrying is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Unknown

Photo by DeaPeaJay