Alan Cohen Quotes

For a while it was hard for me to say no to work.

One of the things I talk a lot about in my work that I try to practice - which is really hard - is in those moments where we're being asked to do things or asked to take over or asked to take care of something, we have to have the courage to choose discomfort over resentment. And to me, a huge part of my authenticity practice has been choosing discomfort and saying no.

Don't be afraid to walk away from things that are just not right for you.

Your yes means nothing if you can't say no.

When you make a decision and a commitment to do something good for yourself, it is like dropping a pebble in a pond. It has a rippling effect. The firmer the decision, the stronger the frequency and wider the range of things that will be reached.

It seems obvious that there comes period in your life when you have to learn to say no to things you don't want to do. But the biggest trickiest lesson in holding on the stalwart committment to your creativity is learning how to say no to the things you do want to do.

I can't just say one time of the year I'm going to do something different. I have to commit to a lifestyle behavioral change and just try to be a little bit better today than I was yesterday.

I've learned, I think, to be able to distinguish between the necessary and the unnecessary as far as my limited outside time is concerned. Saying 'no' politely is a necessity if one wants to lead any kind of stable life.

But I'm going to be a real good boy and take it day by day and try to concentrate on what's most important to me, and that's offering women a service.

Once I commit to something, I complete it. If I say 'no,' I mean 'no.' I just have to learn how to say 'no' more.

Once you learn how to say no, that's about the only place that you'll have control of your work and what you do.

We need to find the courage to say no to the things and people that are not serving us if we want to rediscover ourselves and live our lives with authenticity.

You have to prepare yourself first before you can create any kind of change for your loved ones.

What we say no to is sometimes more important than what we say yes to.

I have learned how to say no, and I have to check myself all the time. I'm not great at it still. Women get criticized a lot more for saying no than men do.

My dad was not good at saying no. I'm trying to be better at saying no.

We have to not be afraid to say no.

I've always been of the mindset that you will be defined by the things you say 'no' to because it's so easy to say 'yes.'

I have learned that it's OK for me to say no to things.

Saying no frees you up to say yes when it matters most.

Before the heart attack, I used to do a lot of work - what's needed and what's not needed. I used to sing songs that leave an impact and those that didn't. I could never say 'No.' Now, I have learnt to say it, though, and believe me, it has not been easy to do so.

I have to be a leader now. I need to shoulder responsibility more than I used to. It's changed me, but I'm OK with that.

I have to prioritize and learn how to sometimes say 'no,' even when there might be a good opportunity. That means turning down a check or a potential relationship, or sometimes letting someone down who you are close with.

One of the things I've stopped doing is going out of my way to make people feel OK about their mistakes.

There are only two words that will always lead you to success. Those words are yes and no. Undoubtedly, you've mastered saying yes. So start practicing saying no. Your goals depend on it!