The Power of Yes
The upside of saying “yes” far outweighs the downside of a noncommittal “maybe” or a poorly timed “no.” Learning to say “yes” goes hand in hand with the ability and the choice to say “no.”
Some people have had a field day with “yes”, giving it more power than it deserves. On the other hand, a positive “yes” has the ability to move people, change situations and open doors to new possibilities we may not see at first glance.
How do you get to a powerful “yes”?
- By saying “no” to something so we can say “yes” to something else.
A few times I’ve said “YES” during my recovery journey
I said “yes” to God’s plan for allowing this accident.
- To say yes, I had to say “no” to blaming Him, self-pity and an endless “Why?”
I said “yes” to talking to and praying for an amputee in the bed beside mine (he lost his leg in a train accident the day before our accident).
- To say yes, I had to say “no” to keeping quiet, focusing on my pain and the fear of not knowing quite what to say.
I said “yes” to a student nurse who wanted to interview me for a paper on the recovery process (it gave me a chance to brag on the doctors & nurses, share my story of survival, and remind her of the huge difference family, friends and faith had on my recovery journey).
- To say yes, I had to say “no” to thinking my experience wasn’t going to help her or being too tired to talk.
I said “yes” to helping people when they ask with…encouragement, listening, advising, coaching, unpacking, praying, writing, supporting – to name a few.
- To say yes, I had to say “no” to focusing on what I had lost so I could focus on what I had left to give.
I said “yes” to being OK with an open ended recovery timeline with no clue when this will end.
- To say yes, I had to say “no” to my need to know the future and my plan all mapped out.
What does saying “yes” give us?
- Optimism and an attitude that says “we will get through this!”
- The chance to meet new people and help others.
- Healthier relationships – positive people rub off on others.
- Less conflict and more agreement.
- Greater health since mood and positivity increases healing.
What do you need to “no” to so you can say “yes” to what really matters?
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About Cam Taylor
Coach, author, speaker, father, friend, leader, life long learner.
Thanks Cam. What a great twist on the freedom to say yes and no in the midst of challenge! I can see how saying no to some things opens up so many opportunities to say yes.
The topic of saying yes could be fleshed out to become a fascinating chapter in your book Cam. We can be overhelmed by saying yes too often. Yet, we grow by saying yes, when we tackle something difficult. Often, we feel guilty when we have to say no. But, we really must turn down some offers, so we down burn out.
So well said! I like your point about growing by saying yes but living with limits so we don’t burn on yeses. It’s learning to say no so we can say yes to those opportunities that grow us.