Business By Hormozi #136: No Means No For Now

Jason, a seasoned salesperson, had seen it all—countless rejections, close calls, and missed opportunities. But he never let rejection get the best of him. He had learned early in his career that rejection was a part of the game. Still, one day, he was having a tough time dealing with a particularly discouraging "no" from a prospect.

In his early days, Jason would have taken the rejection personally, feeling like the “no” meant he wasn’t good enough. But as his career progressed, he understood something crucial:

“No means 'no for now' or 'no for this thing.' Not 'no forever' or 'no for everything.'”

The Shift in Perspective

This mindset shift wasn’t instant. At first, Jason didn’t quite grasp the full meaning of this advice. But after a few more rejections, he realized that a “no” wasn’t the end of the road—it was just a temporary setback. A “no” meant that now wasn’t the right time, or the product he was offering didn’t align with that prospect’s current needs.

But that didn’t mean that “no” would always be the answer. In time, Jason’s perspective changed. He started approaching each rejection with a new mindset: what could he learn from the “no” and how could he continue building the relationship for the future?

Turning a No into a Future Yes

Jason began to follow up with prospects who said no, offering to keep in touch and checking in after a few months. He made sure his interactions were thoughtful and relevant, providing helpful insights and updates on new products.

By doing this, Jason found that many of the prospects who had initially rejected him came back months later when their situation changed. They remembered him not as a pushy salesperson but as someone who respected their decision and kept the door open for future opportunities.

The Power of Patience

Over time, Jason’s persistence paid off. He turned “no’s” into eventual “yes’s” by maintaining a positive, patient attitude and never taking rejection personally. He learned that rejection was just a small chapter in the bigger story of a successful sales career.

In fact, some of his most significant clients were those who initially rejected him. But by keeping the relationship open and staying patient, he turned those rejections into fruitful partnerships.

Conclusion

If you’re in sales, remember: “No” doesn’t mean “no forever.” It means “no for now” or “no for this thing.” Rejection isn’t the end—it’s simply a step in the journey. By staying patient, learning from each interaction, and keeping the door open for future opportunities, you can turn many of those “no’s” into “yes’s.” Keep moving forward, and you’ll find that rejection isn’t as discouraging as it once seemed.