Get The No

Sometimes, the primary goal of an interaction is to get to a “no” quickly and decisively.

People have all sorts of reasons not to tell you “no,” even when they know they’ll never say “yes.” An employer that doesn’t want to promote you still wants you to think it’s in the cards. A potential mate with multiple suitors who hasn’t decided yet between them still wants them all to be options.

Most people know when they’re in this situation, but they don’t like to admit it. They want to stay in the orbit, thinking that if they push too hard, that might be the thing that turns a potential yes into a no.

It isn’t.

The no was always there, and what you’re doing is simply harming yourself. Without the firm “no,” you can’t move on or take better options. Respect your time and yourself more than that – get the firm answer, either way. The universe isn’t different, but you are.

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