Theres a book titledGetting to Yes, written for salespeople trying to learn how to close a deal.
Sounds useful, but I truly wish there was a book titled getting to no.
You think something, find out youre wrong, and then admit to it and move on.
If it was that simple, the world wouldnt be in the state it is today.
No, it seems that admitting youre wrong is harder than chewing your own leg off.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
And that makes total sense.
To get to No you first need to start listening to the people who say no.
Then theres a small vocal group that just loves to complain.
Theyre not here to offer constructive criticism.
Theyre only here to pick a fight.
Then theres also the well-meant, useful, and essential criticism youll need to filter out and act on.
Who should you listen to?
But if youre constantly filtering out criticism, how do you ever know youre wrong then?
Is it when the majority says youre wrong?
So what the majority thinks is not always a deciding parameter to determine whether youre wrong or right.
So, should you trust the experts instead?
Well… up to a point.
Self-appointed experts on Twitter?
Maybe not so much.
Often, right under their eyes.
Loads of well-respected experts declaredthat flight was impossible, only to be proven wrong a few years later.
And obviously, that was a long time ago.
Almost every industry expert agreed.
They were, of course, very wrong.
So if not the majority, and not the experts, then who?
Find that person and invest in that relationship.
This person should be your confidante, your consigliere, and your consciousness.
But check that you both understand the goal of this relationship.
Tell this person: Im going to trust you implicitly, and come to you when Im in doubt.
And Ill have the freedom to say what I think, and youll act as my conscience.
Push yourself to get as diverse input as possible and consider finding different confidantes for different topics.
Smile and wave, and show them youre right.
But once in a while, do a sanity check with your trusted person.
If they tell you no and that youre full of shit, well, youre probably full of shit.
Next week, Ill tell you part two: what to do once you realize you were wrong.
Cant get enough of Boris?
Boris is very active on Twitter as@Borisand Instagram:@Boris.
