The Law of No!

After many years I have come to the conclusion that there is a "Law of No!"  It is rooted in our brains from the beginning of time and has impacted individuals, organizations, countries and cultures.  Think back.  What was one of the first words you remember?  No!  In fact, it may have been the first word you learned. 

Now the word and concept of No is not bad.  It is there create an environment in which we can live safely.  Our basic brain is always searching for danger and threats to our well-being.  That is why we just can't look away from accidents, danger, and threats.  Isn't it easier to spot a mistake than to look for everything that is right?  We are programmed to see the negative or threat. 

A prime example of the impact of the "Law of No!" is in the recent health care debates.  What do you remember?  How may debates did you see depicted on TV that showed reasonable, even voiced people discussion options to improve health care?  What you saw was the controversy, the shouting, the talking back...the "power of No".  It made no difference whether ideas were good or bad.  It was just rallies against health care.  What is really interesting is that those in opposition were not proposing loudly their ideas or fighting to work with others to offer alternatives.  Sadly, it became so blatently a No debate that the Republican party became called the party of No.  How is this improving our lives?

It makes no difference your party affiliation or your organization, or personnal preferences, when you allow the Law of No! to rule your life you really make no progress. 

The "Law of No!" has its place.  When your parent yelled No! before you reached for a hot stove, it was for your safety.  Unfortunately, No! can just as easily ruin your future and success if it becomes a reactive and thoughtless way of life.  Do you really enjoy being around a negative or no person?  It is depressing.

We need more people to look for options and solutions, and less just saying no.

Where have you seen the Law of No! working?