The Art of Saying No: Kenny Nguyen at TEDxLSU

Noted entrepreneur and presentation expert Kenny Nguyen passionately speaks about the power inherent in saying "no." The CEO of Big Fish Presentations, Kenny speaks about how "no" has affected him personally and professionally, but more importantly, how it can prepare one for the perfect time to say yes.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[JZ-cdtb]

My friend once realized that I couldn't say no and instead of using me, he helped. He helped me start saying no to small things, like picking up a paper. Then, we went on to work on larger, more important requests. To this day, I appreciate the fact that he took the time to help. Although it might have been just out of personal interest, but I am so glad he did.

[suuuuuuu]

All my childhood everyone taught me to say yes and now for the rest of my life I'm learning to say no!

[parinpatel]

When the speaker talked about the importance of listening to your gut feeling, that just gave me so much comfort. I'm in a situation where my gut feeling was telling me that I'm not ready for something even though it looks like the most ideal situation to all other people. I kept on going and ignoring my gut feeling because people said that you are just overthinking.

And later I did ended up realizing that your gut screams NO for a reason because only you know what you want and what you need and no other person can truly understand your gut feeling but only you.

There is guilt associated with saying a NO especially if it means rejecting something good but if your gut says no, then maybe listen to it. Sometimes it doesn't make sense in the present but it does make sense eventually.

This gave me some assurance that it's okay to listen to your gut even if nobody understands it and maybe even you don't fully understand it. Your gut feelings are powerful psychic shields that are meant to protect you.

[khatriajaya]

Came here after amazing number of friends, who usually don't talk to me, asked me for assignments.

[LessonsInLife]

Saying no is an essential part of leveraging your time. If you have difficulty saying no, think about it this way. For each time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to everything else. ;)

[god]

"Learn to say 'no', so that you can say 'yes' at the right time."

[jaredboone]

Thanks, Kenny. - from a super-busy classroom teacher/aspiring school principal. The word NO certainly has stigma surrounding it and we need to work as an overworked culture to redefine NO. :)

[menumlor]

Every time you say “yes” you make it easier for others to take advantage of you.

I realized this at work one when a coworker demandingly asked to move some stuff with the forklift. As soon as I said yes and walked away. I over heard him say to another coworker….

“See, you don’t have to operate the forklift he was going to say “yes” anyways”

That struck a nerve with me. The next day I kept saying “no” because every time I said yes I would fall behind on my work. When that happened I would get scolded for not keeping up. Mean while the other coworkers benefited from my wasted by getting ahead, fooling around at work and not working twice as hard to keep up.

[IkerUnzu]

This is crazy. Literally crazy. Going through something similar, had to say no to a very important opportunity, and I struggled at first. But I’m so, so happy I prioritized my peace instead of more fame/money, that I don’t even need, it’s hard because it’s an opportunity not many people can have, that’s why you feel pressured to say YES. Thank you for this, made me feel less alone.

[lenalee]

The thing i hate is how people dont accept No as an answer, i mean if you ask me for a favor, you gotta expect a yes or a no.
Last week my teacher colleague asked me to replace her for a day becuz she had an important appointment so it was my pleasure to Say yes and i accepted, i didnt even think twice, but i didnt know her students were so annoying so they really pissed me off and didnt let me do my job properly i literally regretted accepting to replace her.
Today she called me again to replace her for next week, and i told her No, and she literally got mad, even tho i told her my reasons. Like its not my problem if they dont accept rejection, if u ask for smth expect yes or no, this situation made me think well before accepting something even if i want to.

[tseamus]

2022 is my year to using more the word "NO."

[lamarpray]

“When to use your sword vs when to use your shield” yooo I’m going to say that to myself everyday. I learned a lot from that

[monblue]

The flip side of saying "no" :).
Thank you, it's such a meaningful speech :)

[jaysilverstone]

yes to who i really am, no to everything else

[thelovelydrkeyx]

I never have a hard time saying no. I just hate what I have to deal with behind saying no.

[razaqamokomowo]

I was labeled as a yes-man but now I do not say yes to everything a person asks of me, I learned how to say no to other people so they will not be able to take advantage of me

[banderson]

I'm here because I have to tell a coworker no to a presentation they asked me to do. I have to say no for my mental and physical health and family. I can't work 60 hours a week anymore....

[jesseflores]

I have just finished my third prayer to my Heavenly Father for guidance to
Keep me on the right path and blessings to
My most important and most needed
Request a awesome teacher blessed too

Love you and I thank yew mrjeary

[NiharikaAcharya]

The Word "NO" is to combat the dangerous effects of the word "YES"💫

[amyttt]

Really enjoyed the story. How you date it back to childhood is amazing. I guess we all remember how bad it feels to get a No when we were a kid. It's time for us to protect ourselves. :)