Chase Jarvis Chase Jarvis
  • Photos
  • Projects
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book
Chase Jarvis Chase Jarvis
  • Photos
  • Projects
  • About
  • Blog
  • Book

Yes Is For Wimps. Get Used To Hearing “NO”.

—

reads

  • Total: 101
  • Facebook50
  • Twitter15
  • Pinterest4
  • Buffer32

If you’re already a professional creator, then you know that you had to hear a lot of “no” for every “yes”. If you’re not yet a pro, or perhaps more importantly if you are a pro whose enjoyed a taste of success, then hear this: Get Used To Hearing “No”.

Quite honestly, understanding this will be some of the best medicine you’ll ever take – because once you get it…you GET it, and it will be with you forever.  The powerful result of taking this medicine TODAY is that the word NO will change from bumming you out to inspiring you and driving your actions to get to the next YES.  As such, enjoy this tasty medicine 😉

 


Listen to the Podcast

Subscribe
iTunes Podcast BadgeStitcher Podcast BadgeGoogle Music Play Podcast Badge 


1. Let “no” serve as a motivator. If you don’t win a gig from an agency or a magazine, if you lose it to another photographer, vow to win the next one. Make a plan for how to do it different, better than you did last time. Make new photos, prepare, hone your vision, whatever it takes.

2. Let “no” keep out the other people who don’t want it as bad as you do. Remember, when you’re hearing “no”, so is almost everyone else. When other artists hear “no” too much, they quit, defeated, never to return again. Don’t let that be you. When you hear “no”, let it remind you of this little post.

3. Let “no” remind you that this job isn’t for everyone, especially the uncommitted. In a round about way, every “no” should remind you that you’re in the right place, not the wrong place. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

4. Let “no” turn you into a better artist. A bunch of “no” usually doesn’t mean that you’re not talking to the right people. It usually means your work is not “there” yet. If that’s the case, see #1.

5. Mario Andretti once famously said, “If everything feels under control, you’re just not driving fast enough”. Same goes here. If you’re… …not hearing “no”, you’re not really getting your work out there enough, pushing what’s possible, pushing yourself.

Now here’s the kicker. It should be plainly obvious that, after a substantial amount of time cultivating the above vision, you will likely start to hear a hell of a lot of “yes”. That’s nice. Nice for the bank account. Nice for the ego. Nice for your portfolio or whatever. But when that happens, don’t get cocky. Don’t only seek yes, don’t depend on it, because it makes you and your work soft. Not in a cuddly way. In a way that you’ll get apathetic.

Of course it’s a balance, but mark my words: when you start to hear a lot of “yes”, consider doing what it takes to hear a bit more “no”. I’m betting that you’ll thank me – or more importantly, thank yourself.

Check out these creative classes I've curated + built that relate to this post:

A Brand Called You
with Debbie Millman
Creating Your Ideal Photography Business
with Kathy Holcombe
Overcome Fear to Get What You Want
with Noah Kagan

Related Posts

10 Things Every Creative Person (That’s YOU) Must Learn
051026_ChaseJarvis_einstein_writing_vlrgwidec
Writing Makes Photographers More Creative — 5 Easy Tips
Daniel Pink: The Power of Regret
Chris Hutchins of Chase Jarvis LIVE
Chris Hutchins: All the Hacks to Maximize Your Life
Chris Burkard on Chase Jarvis LIVE
The Wayward Path of Photographer Chris Burkard
Make Your Message Heard with Victoria Wellman

105 replies on:
Yes Is For Wimps. Get Used To Hearing “NO”.

Comments navigation

Previous
  1. Fenne says:
    January 8, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Enough no’s make me fight but a yes now and then feels like getting air after diving.

    1. Clive says:
      March 8, 2017 at 10:20 am

      So so true, and I’m still working on that part of my life, but loving the photography world, and not stopping for anything, or anyone.

  2. Pingback: Friday Favorites VI | la joie, la vie | a blog by kelly sauer (exquisitrie)
  3. Pingback: How to Turn ‘No’ Into ‘Yes’ + Get What You Want [An Essential Strategy That Will Get YOU Hired] | Xcuz Me
  4. C. Eadie says:
    May 17, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    So true! Enjoyed reading this! I kept saying, YESS!!” And I read it to my daughter as well.
    🙂

  5. Priti says:
    May 17, 2014 at 12:27 am

    Also don’t be afraid of saying no to opportunities that don’t suit you – streamline what it is that you want to work on and better your craft in & focus on it 1000% no matter how long the journey takes

Comments navigation

Previous

Comments are closed.

BUY NEVER PLAY IT SAFE NOW!

Get weekly, curated access to the best of everything I do.

Popular Posts

20240425_CJLIVE_StephanieHarrison_Canva_YT_cStephanie Harrison: How Hacking Happiness (Actually) Works
A smiling man with long blonde hair is featured on the left side of the image against a black background with dotted patterns. To the right, bold white and yellow text reads "The Power of Intention," with the name "Finnian Kelly" displayed below. The Chase Jarvis LIVE Show logo is positioned in the upper right corner.You’re Underestimating the Power of Breath
On the left side, the show's logo is displayed, with "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" in bold black text inside yellow rectangles, stacked vertically. The right side of the image features a cosmic scene set in outer space. Two large dice are floating in space, surrounded by swirling galaxies and nebulae. The background includes vibrant colors, such as deep blues, oranges, and whites, creating a dynamic and mystical atmosphere. The glowing spiral galaxy in the distance adds to the sense of wonder and exploration in the image.Why Success Demands You Never Play It Safe
The left side features bold text that reads: "Stop Assuming The Worst" The text "Stop" and "The Worst" are in bold white font, while "Assuming" is in bold yellow font. The phrase "Stop" is emphasized with a red arrow pointing to the right. On the right side of the image, there is a photo of a smiling man wearing glasses and a dark shirt, looking directly at the camera. The show's logo is positioned in the top right corner, featuring "THE CHASE JARVIS LIVE SHOW" in black text inside yellow rectangles. The entire graphic is framed with a yellow border, which matches the color scheme of the text and logo. The background is a dark, textured surface that adds contrast to the bright text and imagery.Simple Trick to Build Trust in Your Creative Collaborations
20241001_CJLIVE_GaryVeeShow_Syndicate_Blog_16x9How Self-Betrayal Is Holding You Back
20250118_CJLIVE_LifeIsLong_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Is Life Really Too Short? Rethinking Our Rush To “Make It”
20250405_CJLIVE_SeeingWhatWeHaveBeenTaughtToIgnore_Micro_Thumb_16x9_v2.5Feeling Stuck in Serious Mode? Here’s How to Flip the Script with Play
20250220_CJLIVE_LinkedIn_Syndicate_Thumb_16x9_v2.5How Taking More Risks Can Unlock the Life You Actually Want
202500507_CJLIVE_SorenGordhamer_Thumb_16x9_v2.5How to Find What Really Matters in a World Full of Noise
20250505_CJLIVE_ChrisGuillebeau_Thumb_16x9_v2.5You’ve Never Heard of Time Anxiety But You Definitely Have It

Daily Creative Projects

© 2024 Chase Jarvis. All rights reserved.

My New Book Is Here!

This book is a powerful compass for embracing risk and creativity in all aspects of life. Chase shows us how to step out of our comfort zones and become who we were meant to be.

SOPHIA AMORUSO
Serial Entreprenuer
NYT Best Selling Author of Girlboss

BUY NOW!

My New Book Is Here!

This book is a powerful compass for embracing risk and creativity in all aspects of life. Chase shows us how to step out of our comfort zones and become who we were meant to be.

SOPHIA AMORUSO
Serial Entreprenuer
NYT Best Selling Author of Girlboss

BUY NOW!