--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew that if I wanted to stop being a…" description: "\"I knew that if I wanted to stop being a pushover I had to get comfortable with small rejections myself. That took some work, but because of it I can no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/beth-ditto-3017_clear_i-knew-that-if-i-wanted-to-stop-being-a_716876.png" --- # I knew that if I wanted to stop being a pushover I had to… ![“I knew that if I wanted to stop being a pushover I had to get comfortable with small rejections myself. That took some work, but because of it I can now say 'no' to other people with a clear conscience.” quote by Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/beth-ditto-3017_clear_i-knew-that-if-i-wanted-to-stop-being-a_716876.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/beth-ditto-3017_clear_i-knew-that-if-i-wanted-to-stop-being-a_716876.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2f/beth-ditto-3017_clear_i-knew-that-if-i-wanted-to-stop-being-a_716876.png) > “I knew that if I wanted to stop being a pushover I had to get comfortable with small rejections myself. That took some work, but because of it I can now say 'no' to other people with a clear conscience.” [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning to say no requires practicing small rejections to build confidence for larger boundaries. **In simple terms:** Practice small refusals to say no. Key Takeaway Practice saying no in low‑stakes situations. Themes assertiveness boundaries self‑care Mood empowering pragmatic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - workplace negotiations - personal relationships - setting limits Key Concepts confidence building personal growth social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to say yes? - How do you maintain relationships while setting boundaries? A Different Perspective Constantly saying no may strain relationships if not balanced with empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clear conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-conscience/) [Conscience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscience/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pushover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushover/) [Pushovers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushovers/) [Rejection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejection/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not strong-willed, actually. I'm a complete pushover. I love to be told what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-m-not-strong-willed-actually-i-m-a-complete-pushover-i-love-to-be/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [“It's easy to think that people will like you more if you do whatever they tell you to do, but it's quite the opposite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osayi-osar-emokpae/it-s-easy-to-think-that-people-will-like-you-more-if-you-do-whatever/) [Osayi Osar-Emokpae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osayi-osar-emokpae/) > [I wouldn't want to date a pushover who would let me make all the plans and have all the control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-wouldn-t-want-to-date-a-pushover-who-would-let-me-make-all-the/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [I don't know if I'm a strict parent or a pushover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-neeson/i-don-t-know-if-i-m-a-strict-parent-or-a-pushover/) [Liam Neeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-neeson/) > [Life's too short to be a pushover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-clarkson/life-s-too-short-to-be-a-pushover/) [Kelly Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-clarkson/) > [I'm a real pushover for animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kline/i-m-a-real-pushover-for-animals/) [Kevin Kline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kline/) > [I don't take crap from anyone, so that makes people think I'm rebellious. I'm not. I'm just not a pushover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-dennings/i-don-t-take-crap-from-anyone-so-that-makes-people-think-i-m/) [Kat Dennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-dennings/) > [Despite facing rejections, I did not give in or take any other route. I was always open to face rejections. I took it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-tamboli/despite-facing-rejections-i-did-not-give-in-or-take-any-other-route-i/) [Nikki Tamboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-tamboli/) > [I like to talk come fight night, that's how I do it, but I'm not a pushover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/i-like-to-talk-come-fight-night-that-s-how-i-do-it-but-i-m-not-a/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) > [I know as a critic I'm required to have a well-armored heart. I must be a cynical wise guy to show my great sophistication.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-know-as-a-critic-i-m-required-to-have-a-well-armored-heart-i-must/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Competitiveness is a personality thing and competitive people don't become pushovers the day they turn fifty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hale-irwin/competitiveness-is-a-personality-thing-and-competitive-people-don-t/) [Hale Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hale-irwin/) > [Balance for me now means seeing myself as a tree, being strong enough in my roots and trunk to not be a pushover, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-strong/balance-for-me-now-means-seeing-myself-as-a-tree-being-strong-enough/) [Brenda Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-strong/) > [A city suffering from chronic poverty, out-of-control crime, a $76 million budget deficit and a 15 percent unemployment rate (nearly 50 percent for Oakland's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-malkin/a-city-suffering-from-chronic-poverty-out-of-control-crime-a-76/) [Michelle Malkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-malkin/) > [I got a dog with a Napoleon complex. I have a Napoleon complex. We're small. Anything big that we feel is threatening us, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hart/i-got-a-dog-with-a-napoleon-complex-i-have-a-napoleon-complex-we-re/) [Kevin Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hart/) > [I say yes to the hot bath and the sandwich - to getting ourselves into the best possible mental shape to identify and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/i-say-yes-to-the-hot-bath-and-the-sandwich-to-getting-ourselves-into/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) ## More by Beth Ditto > [I was overcome by the Holy Ghost one time, but in a Baptist way. I was six or seven, and I was saved. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-was-overcome-by-the-holy-ghost-one-time-but-in-a-baptist-way-i-was/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I've never had a very quiet voice. I tried in choir to make it smaller, and it just didn't work out. And I listened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-ve-never-had-a-very-quiet-voice-i-tried-in-choir-to-make-it-smaller/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Someone told me once that Lucinda Williams takes six years between albums, and that's what stuck to me; it's like, you really are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/someone-told-me-once-that-lucinda-williams-takes-six-years-between/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [True love is about being able to accept raw emotions, no matter how difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/true-love-is-about-being-able-to-accept-raw-emotions-no-matter-how/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Granny Ditto always referred to perfume as 'smell good' and for me it's an essential. I have a sweetheart who's extremely allergic to most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/granny-ditto-always-referred-to-perfume-as-smell-good-and-for-me-it-s/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [When I think about the idea of Rebel Wilson having to go to the Oscars and not having something amazing to wear that's made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/when-i-think-about-the-idea-of-rebel-wilson-having-to-go-to-the/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I was born fat and have always been, which was just fine and even healthy and cute until I turned ten or so. Puberty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-was-born-fat-and-have-always-been-which-was-just-fine-and-even/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Growing up as a chubby kid with a ton of imaginary friends and a Cyndi Lauper obsession, I learned about rejection early on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/growing-up-as-a-chubby-kid-with-a-ton-of-imaginary-friends-and-a/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [This archaic idea - that a woman who is unmarried and childless at 30 is somehow unnatural - will probably always exist, and, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/this-archaic-idea-that-a-woman-who-is-unmarried-and-childless-at-30/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Not everyone wants to be sexy everyday, wearing tight dresses and spanx.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/not-everyone-wants-to-be-sexy-everyday-wearing-tight-dresses-and-spanx/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [Here is my prescription to heal all wounds. Watch the film 'Funny Girl' at least five times, eat at least 45 chocolate bars, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/here-is-my-prescription-to-heal-all-wounds-watch-the-film-funny-girl/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [As a kid, I was always mad - just noticing the women at Thanksgiving, running around the kitchen, while the men were watching football.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/as-a-kid-i-was-always-mad-just-noticing-the-women-at-thanksgiving/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [You know, either I'm too fat or I'm flavour of the month. I don't feel either, but maybe I'm both, who knows?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/you-know-either-i-m-too-fat-or-i-m-flavour-of-the-month-i-don-t-feel/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [A weird thing about Gossip that I've always said: 'If I weren't in this band, I would never listen to it.' But I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/a-weird-thing-about-gossip-that-i-ve-always-said-if-i-weren-t-in-this/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I worshipped Ethel Merman and I worshipped Ethel Merman a lot. It's incredible - Ethel Merman was a conventional singer. Her naming her child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/i-worshipped-ethel-merman-and-i-worshipped-ethel-merman-a-lot-it-s/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) [Explore all 142 Beth Ditto quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) ## More Clear quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/) [Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/) [Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/) > [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I knew that if I wanted to stop being a pushover I had to get comfortable with small rejections myself. 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