HOW BEST TO HANDLE AND EMBRACE BEING TOLD NO
There’s no doubt society has gone through some major changes in the last couple decades and the impact on the workplace is emerging. The dramatic interruptions that came with Covid have led to a world where remote work and distance from those you’re most accountable to has become the norm. Social media, social polarization, and the successes of those who have monetized your attention have reoriented our priorities and given rise to a generation that lacks the resilience necessary to persevere and build strong companies that America has traditionally relied on for its growth and prosperity.
So what do we do? What can we do? The world has become increasingly comfortable (for the worse) in a way that shields us from hardship and from developing the essential skills we need. Like a baby learning to walk, people need to fall down. But we live in a society that’s covered in bubble wrap. “Have it your way” was a catchy slogan about satisfying hungry customers in the 1970’s…but now it’s the default way of thinking for Americans who expect the world to cater to their desires…and it’s a problem.
THE SOLUTION
At Nexus Property Management®, we pride ourselves on being solution oriented. As a founding principle, that idea is not something we just adopt when it seems appropriate. The solution to the trends we’re seeing with today’s workforce is all rooted in refamiliarizing people (ourselves included) with the word ‘no’. Since the dawn of civilization, nature has provided mankind with feedback to help us survive and best adjust to the world around us. Today, that feedback is being squashed by algorithms and social disconnection.
Buying a property is a big decision. Choosing a career path is a big decision. Starting a family is a big decision. Big decisions are long term projects and if you base them on what feels good in the moment, on the dopamine hit from instant gratification that’s become the norm, you’re going to be in big trouble down the road.
People need to hear the word ‘no’ and they need to get comfortable with it. ‘No’ is the feedback that drives us to rethink and reflect. ‘No’ is the Tetris block that didn’t fit perfectly to clear a line but it guides us toward the next best move. Because getting to the best answer is a process that takes time and disappointment along the way, ‘no’ is what successful people thrive on.
LEARN MORE: TEAM BUILDING 101: PEOPLE NEED TO EMBRACE YOUR VISION
PIVOTING AND FINDING MOTIVATION
Successful people get comfortable with hearing the word ‘no’. They hear ‘no’, they accept ‘no’, and they think about how best to pivot toward ‘yes’ based on what they’ve learned from this rejection. They think about how to leverage what they’ve learned for the next opportunity. They don’t let the word ‘no’ be a defeat but instead use it for motivation.
With a large subscription and reader base in New England, it seems appropriate to mention that Tom Brady started a media company in 2020 and named it 199 Productions. If you’re not familiar with his story, Brady, statistically the greatest football player to ever play the game, was picked 199th overall in the 6th round of the NFL draft in 2000…in other words, almost last. In essence, every team said ‘no’ to a future first ballot Hall of Famer over and over and over…which Brady used as motivation in winning a record 7 Super Bowls over the course of his historic 23 year career.
LEARN MORE: “YES”, “NO”, “MAYBE” SO: HOW BEST TO COMMUNICATE WITH CONTRACTORS
THE WOONSOCKET CHURCH PROJECT
Nexus Property Management® Vice President of Franchise Sales, Greg Rice, has been a big fan of and advocate for the city of Woonsocket for over a decade. With plenty of real estate investment success of his own, in addition to the multitudes of Nexus’ managed properties in the city, Rice saw a great opportunity when the former Sacred Heart Church (415 Olo Street) was up for sale. Nexus purchased the building and has plans to create 32 residential apartments that will draw professionals and their families to Woonsocket. Rice, again championing the city, feels that too many who work in Woonsocket, namely at CVS Headquarters or Landmark Hospital, should have more opportunities to live in Woonsocket as well, instead of nearby suburbs.
But turning this vision into a reality isn’t and hasn’t been easy. Redevelopment like this is very new in this area, but repurposing and rezoning of old mills has been going on for decades. Initially, Nexus and Rice ran up against ‘no’s because the church was an historical icon. Next they ran into ‘no’s when seeking tax stabilization from the city. In both instances, perseverance and an eagerness to learn how to get to ‘yes’ got them there. The next major hurdle was financing. With these projects being so rare, lenders were tentative. Nexus also has plans to develop 27 loft apartments in downtown Pawtucket, but since construction on that project had not yet begun, lenders were still wary of Nexus’ inexperience in the redevelopment arena. In came the flurry of ‘no’s, and each time Rice and Nexus thought about how they could get closer to ‘yes’. In the end, networking and connecting with Centreville Bank gave the project the necessary financing to move forward.
LEARN MORE: NEXUS CLOSES ON SALE OF SACRED HEART CHURCH IN WOONSOCKET, RI
CONCLUSION: BUILDING YOUR TEAM
The beauty of being told ‘no’ and then persevering and finding success is that you turn all of those who weren’t interested into believers without burning any relationships. You take that adversity, you bottle it up, transfer it to positive energy, and you keep driving. In this you find motivation and momentum and you’re noted for overcoming that adversity and building credibility…then more and more people want to work with you. This is how you build your own confidence. This is how you establish your brand. This is how you handle being told no.
Speaking of teams, Nexus Property Management® offers franchise opportunities from coast-to-coast. We are currently the largest residential property manager in Southern New England and continue to grow throughout the region. Learn more about joining our team!
MOST POPULAR FREE NEXUS ARTICLES:
Mick Lefort is the Vice President of Operations for Nexus Property Management®. A National Property Management Franchise that manages all types of rental property from single family homes or condos to large apartment buildings and complexes.
Your Property, MANAGED®
The Real Estate Investing Authority®
Connecting You To Better Living®
You Could Own A Nexus Property Management® Office For Less Than You Think!
Pawtucket RI Property Management Office
Worcester MA Property Management Office
Natick MA Property Management Office
