--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Successful people are adamant about…" description: "\"“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.”\" — Joshua Becker" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg" --- # Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things… ![“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.” quote by Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg) > ““Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.”” [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Successful people protect their mission by refusing tasks that don’t align with their goals. **In simple terms:** Say no to misaligned tasks. Key Takeaway Guard your mission. Themes focus discipline prioritization Mood determined pragmatic Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - project management - entrepreneurship - time management Key Concepts goal alignment opportunity cost Questions to Reflect On - What criteria do you use to evaluate alignment? - How can you say no politely? A Different Perspective Saying no may limit networking opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adamant Saying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adamant-saying-1387097/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [People Adamant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-adamant-3219171/) [Saying Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saying-things/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Successful people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful-people/) [Things Align](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-align-3219172/) ## Related quotes > [“I explained myself like this: I did not feel adamant about saying no, but I also didn't feel adamant about saying yes, so until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/i-explained-myself-like-this-i-did-not-feel-adamant-about-saying-no/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [“When things align themselves in my favor, it makes me suspicious. Maybe because I don't like the idea of my life being part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/when-things-align-themselves-in-my-favor-it-makes-me-suspicious-maybe/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [Working on 'NYPD Blue' and '24', those two series, I did full runs on those. It's great work, but everything has to align. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-schroder/working-on-nypd-blue-and-24-those-two-series-i-did-full-runs-on-those/) [Ricky Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-schroder/) > [I do talk less now because the sound of my voice saying over and over the things I said years ago embarrasses and depresses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carroll-o-connor/i-do-talk-less-now-because-the-sound-of-my-voice-saying-over-and-over/) [Carroll O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carroll-o-connor/) > [But, the relationships that I see work - As long as they're telling the truth, and saying the things that you don't ever want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/but-the-relationships-that-i-see-work-as-long-as-they-re-telling-the/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [I've said things on Twitter that I've said deliberately because I think they're out of order, I think that's the sense of humour that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/limmy/i-ve-said-things-on-twitter-that-i-ve-said-deliberately-because-i/) [Limmy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/limmy/) > [I still have a good girl deep inside, but also recognise that it's worth saying things people will disagree with or get annoyed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-swinson/i-still-have-a-good-girl-deep-inside-but-also-recognise-that-it-s/) [Jo Swinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-swinson/) > [Words are good for saying what things are, but sometimes they don't function for what things aren't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colum-mccann/words-are-good-for-saying-what-things-are-but-sometimes-they-don-t/) [Colum McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colum-mccann/) > [The wrong one will start saying things like "withdraw with honor." We've heard phrases like that before, and they led to thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-haggis/the-wrong-one-will-start-saying-things-like-withdraw-with-honor-we-ve/) [Paul Haggis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-haggis/) > [I always try to find things worth saying, things that are supposed to be said instead of being contrived. I do a ton of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-grammer/i-always-try-to-find-things-worth-saying-things-that-are-supposed-to/) [Andy Grammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-grammer/) > [Its amazing the things you realize when you lose someone. You get mad at yourself for not saying the things you could have said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-amazing-the-things-you-realize-when-you-lose-someone-you-get-mad/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can go back and try to generalize, but then you end up saying things that all editors say about everything that ever gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorin-stein/you-can-go-back-and-try-to-generalize-but-then-you-end-up-saying/) [Lorin Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorin-stein/) > [“You don't know that you are saying these things to a princess, and that if I chose I could wave my hand and order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/you-don-t-know-that-you-are-saying-these-things-to-a-princess-and/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [In the U.S., it's like, you start with a great script, and then on set - not everybody, but definitely in the Apatow group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hader/in-the-u-s-it-s-like-you-start-with-a-great-script-and-then-on-set/) [Bill Hader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hader/) > [I think my way of being "funny" is just saying things that people think but have learned not to say, whereas, I haven't learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-chang/i-think-my-way-of-being-funny-is-just-saying-things-that-people-think/) [Victoria Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-chang/) ## More by Joshua Becker > [“We have too quickly bought into the lie that we’ll be happier with more—and as a result, too often miss the joy that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/we-have-too-quickly-bought-into-the-lie-that-we-ll-be-happier-with/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Clutter is a form of visual distraction, and everything in our vision pulls at our attention at least a little. The less clutter, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/clutter-is-a-form-of-visual-distraction-and-everything-in-our-vision/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Removing possessions begins to turn back our desire for more as we find freedom, happiness, and abundance in owning less. And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/removing-possessions-begins-to-turn-back-our-desire-for-more-as-we/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.” — Tom Robbins”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/any-half-awake-materialist-well-knows-that-which-you-hold-holds-you/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/minimalism-is-the-intentional-promotion-of-the-things-we-most-value/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Overscheduled children lose the space to simply be with themselves and learn the art of being alone. In our noisy, busy world, the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/overscheduled-children-lose-the-space-to-simply-be-with-themselves/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Often it is those who live quietly, modestly, and contentedly with a simple life who are the happiest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/often-it-is-those-who-live-quietly-modestly-and-contentedly-with-a/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Whatever your motivation for downsizing, you're going to love the benefits that come with this change. Let me highlight a few: 1. More money...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/whatever-your-motivation-for-downsizing-you-re-going-to-love-the/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“There is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in organizing more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/there-is-more-joy-to-be-found-in-owning-less-than-can-ever-be-found/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Who knows what advantages you might find in a smaller home, even beyond what you were initially hoping for, after you move in? Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/who-knows-what-advantages-you-might-find-in-a-smaller-home-even/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“...the Diderot effect describes the tendency for one purchase to lead to others... First a fishing pole, then tackle boxes full of fishing gear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/the-diderot-effect-describes-the-tendency-for-one-purchase-to-lead-to/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Purposefully owning less begins to take us out of the unwinnable game of comparison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/purposefully-owning-less-begins-to-take-us-out-of-the-unwinnable-game/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Own less stuff. Enjoy more freedom. It really is that simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/own-less-stuff-enjoy-more-freedom-it-really-is-that-simple/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“  SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-to-possess-modern-culture-has/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Your Computer Screen Computers, even with all their time-saving devices, can actually become one of the most distracting things in our life. In order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/your-computer-screen-computers-even-with-all-their-time-saving/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) [Explore all 29 Joshua Becker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joshua Becker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Goals" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d2e/joshua-becker-21583_goals_successful-people-are-adamant-about-sayi_1146307.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.” — Joshua Becker", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joshua Becker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Successful people are adamant about saying...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```