Monday, January 4, 2010

Saying Yes

A close friend and great guy inspired me to write about "saying yes" and how empowering that can be. The word "no" comes so easily to us all...in first and second dates, in continuing new relationships, in the act of compromising (or not), in accepting responsibility at work, in opening yourself up to a new friend, and letting someone step in front of you in line at the supermarket - this list could go on.

Did you see that Jim Carey movie "Yes Man?" In it, Jim Carey was unable to say no to anything, and had a wild series of adventures, and a much more interesting life than anyone you or I probably know. I encourage you to start saying "yes" to more in your life. It's so easy to hide behind the word "no" but when yo do that you miss out on a new friend, a new memory, a good story to tell down the road, and who knows...even a new career or life partner.

Many of us can feel tied down by work, or family commitments, or social constraints, but saying "yes" is very freeing, and you should empower yourself to let go of your strings and start saying yes to things that would normally give you pause. I think that "saying yes" will be a recurring theme this year for me, so I hope it will be for you too.