Some of my best career moves started with a very confident “no.”
When a serial entrepreneur (who would later become my co-founder) approached me about starting a company together,
I said no.
I was about to start another master’s degree. I had a plan.
When a VP at Google offered me the chance to launch a new initiative inside Google,
I said no.
I wasn’t looking to get back into the corporate world.
After the layoffs, my plan was to take care of my team, and then go build my own social impact startup.
I had a plan. A mission.
Looking back, both “no’s” made complete sense.
I had thought them through. I was standing firmly in what I believed was right for me.
And yet… both of them eventually became “yes’s.”
The startup journey ended with an acquisition.
The Google initiative became a project that helped people in times of crisis — a project that saved lives, at Google scale.
So what happened?
Plans are Important. But They Are Not the Purpose.
When I said no, it was because the opportunity didn’t fit the plan I had.
And plans are valuable — they help us move forward, focus, stay intentional.
But a plan is a tool. It is not the destination.
Sometimes, opportunities come that don’t fit our plan on paper…
but are deeply aligned with something bigger: our purpose.
What allowed me to turn those “no’s” into “yes’s” wasn’t abandoning my plans carelessly.
It was staying in the conversation.
It was being willing to listen deeper — to the people offering the opportunity, and to myself.
It was asking questions that helped me see beyond my immediate plans.
Questions That Help You See Beyond the Plan
If you are facing a surprising opportunity — one that at first doesn’t seem to fit — here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
- What is my deeper purpose?
Beyond my current plan, what impact do I want to have on the world? - How does this opportunity align with my vision?
Not the tasks I expected to do — but the change I want to be part of? - Am I saying no because it truly doesn’t align — or because it feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or risky?
- Is my plan serving my purpose — or have I started serving the plan itself?
- What might become possible if I explore this further?
These questions are not meant to pressure you into saying yes.
They are meant to help you listen more deeply — to stay connected to yourself, even when reality offers you an unexpected detour.
Rigidity, Comfort Zones, and the Courage to Stay Open
Sometimes a “no” is healthy.
It protects our boundaries, our values, our focus.
But sometimes, a “no” is about staying safe.
Sometimes, we cling to plans because they give us a sense of control.
Because they feel clear and comfortable.
Because uncertainty is scary.
Recognizing when a no is coming from fear — rather than clarity — is a powerful skill to develop.
And it starts with being curious.
It starts with asking: What am I protecting here? My growth — or my comfort zone?
Purpose Over Plan
Since those early experiences, I have mentored and coached hundreds of people through major career choices.
I help them build plans.
I help them stay connected to their purpose.
And I help them recognize when it is time to stay the course — and when it is time to let a new path reveal itself.
Because ultimately, a plan is a tool.
Your life, your growth, your purpose — they are the real story.
And sometimes, the best “yes” of your life is hiding inside a “no” — waiting for you to listen more closely.
Reflection for you:
Is there a “no” in your life right now that might deserve a second look?
What might you discover if you stayed curious a little longer?
(If you’d like support navigating a big decision, or reconnecting with your bigger purpose, you are always welcome to reach out. Contact me here.)
Mor Schlesinger 
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