One Thought

Naysayers — you’ve met ‘em.  They’re the people who say No more than they say Yes and who offer discouragement rather than encouragement.  They’re the kings of the worst-case scenario and the queens of the status quo.  To them, change is risky, difficult, and probably not worthwhile.

Most of us have been naysayers at some point.  It’s easy to fall into the naysaying trap — and some never climb out.  We naysay when we fear the unfamiliar, when we’re insecure, and when we’re just plain lazy.  We naysay to prevent change, to preserve our egos, and to avoid work.

If naysayers had their way, nothing would change and no one would rise above the ordinary.  Governments would remain stationary, entrepreneurs would return to their jobs, and aspiring artists would give up.

Thankfully, they don’t always have their way.  I’d like to do what I can to increase the frequency that happens.  In that vein, I offer the following guide to being a naysayer.  If you find yourself doing any of the following, please stop – just say “Nay” to naysaying!

How To Be A Naysayer

1. Assume all good ideas have been tried already.  New ideas are therefore, by definition, bad.  When you hear an idea, recall similar ones that have failed in the past.  Assume that if one attempt failed, all will fail.  Assume things are the way they are for good reason.  Don’t question how they came to be that way or whether they should be that way.
2. Assume the world is a difficult and complex place — so difficult and complex, in fact, that changing it is impossible.  Emphasize how hard it will be to make any change.  Point out all the things that can go wrong, all the worst-case scenarios.  Call yourself a “realist”: in the real world, most changes are impossible so it’s better not to waste time trying.
3. Assume people can’t change.  If they’re not good at something now, they never will be.  Exploit their insecurities to convince them not to try.  Assume abilities are inborn and that no amount of hard work can change that.  Don’t try to change yourself, of course.
4. Discourage risk-taking.  Risks are dangerous, and ideas with risks should be avoided.  Since big changes are always risky, discourage all such changes.  Prefer avoiding loss to seeking gain.  Seek comfort and stability above all else.
5. Do your part to uphold the status quo.  Discourage those who try to change it.  Use any power or influence you have to stop them.  Point out as many problems as you can with their ideas, and don’t bother offering solutions to those problems.  Exploit any information advantage you have to argue down their points.  Don’t listen to them if they don’t have the proper credentials.  And of course, don’t try to do anything new yourself.