Super U Podcast | Getting Past “No”
On today’s Super U Podcast, Equalman offers tips and tricks on how to turn that “No” into a “Now”. He shares the top 2 reasons your ideas never get past the brainstorming phase, practical advice on how to better sell your ideas, and lastly 3 stories about perseverance and pioneering.
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Need a sneak peek? Below are the main takeaways from the episode.
Preview:
“As an author, storyteller, and keynote speaker, the greatest hope is to touch someone’s life — to entertain, educate, and empower them to live their best life. So, when I received an email from someone saying, “I’m getting pushback at work, and I remember you told this story, but I can’t find it,” it struck a chord with me. They wanted to use the story to address their executives, bosses, or investors. While I won’t disclose their name, they shared their struggle:
“I’ve looked everywhere for this story — on YouTube, through Google, and even on platforms like Perplexity and ChatGPT — but I just can’t find it.”
That’s why we’re sharing it here on the Super U Podcast. I hope this story not only helps that listener but also resonates with many of you who may be facing similar challenges. It’s a story about overcoming pushback, and I believe it’ll provide valuable insights and tips on how to handle resistance, why it’s an essential part of the journey, and how to turn obstacles into opportunities.
When you encounter pushback, don’t let it discourage you. In fact, it’s often a sign to push harder, to stay persistent, and to transform that “no” into a “yes.” Or as I like to say, turn a “no” into a “not yet.” We all have ideas, but success is about execution—how you bring those ideas to life. However, the path to execution is rarely easy. If it were, everyone would do it.
You’re going to face gatekeepers. If you’re writing a screenplay and pitching it in Hollywood, someone might say no. If you’re trying to publish a book, publishers might reject it. I received over 100 rejection letters for Socialnomics. The journey to bring your idea to fruition is never simple, but it’s worth it.
Many of you, like the person who emailed me, are likely trying to sell an idea internally at a company or pitch it to investors. When you’re met with resistance, it’s frustrating. You might think, How can they not see it? This is the future! But in my experience, when you have an idea, a dream, or a vision, there are two primary obstacles:
- Hurdles: You hit a roadblock and simply stop.
- Lack of Focus: You get distracted from your vision by the “busy” work—answering emails, checking social media, or getting pulled into routine tasks.
This podcast is all about tackling those hurdles. When you face rejection, the key is to stay firm in your destination but flexible in your approach. Focus on your big idea, not the distractions. If you need more help with this, I recommend my book The Focus Project, which dives deeper into prioritizing what truly matters.
Whether your idea involves AI, innovation, or a creative project like publishing a book, remember this: pushback is part of the process. It’s not a sign to stop; it’s an opportunity to adapt. Stay committed to your vision and use practical strategies to turn challenges into stepping stones. Let’s explore how to stay resilient and achieve your goals.”
To ensure you don’t miss future episodes, subscribe to our podcast by clicking here >> Super U Podcast. We hope these tips help unlock and unleash your inner superpower!
The Super U Podcast is hosted by #1 bestselling author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman.
