You Only Need One Yes

The journey of a thousand miles always starts with a single step and that step means saying yes to an opportunity.

While trying new things can cause anxiety, new adventures are also exciting learning opportunities. Permitting ourselves to start moving, growing, and thriving is a choice.

Right now there is a lot of negativity, and it seems to make people more fearful of saying “yes” to new possibilities. Over the past year we have become so attuned to bad things happening that, as a survival mechanism, we have become more accustomed to saying no.

No, we don’t need to go to the store.
No, we don’t want to risk being around other people.
No, we won’t take that trip this year.

The word NO has a negative effect on our minds, releasing stress and chemicals in our brains that affect effectiveness and even rationality. When we are told no, we can feel a pit in our stomach, which just translates to a kick of disappointment. In a world where we are constantly hearing no, people are carrying around a lot of disappointment

‘’No’’ also closes the door to opportunity.

Maybe you had a great business idea, but once you pitched it and got a negative response, you ditched it. Maybe you tried again, only to get another rejection. How many rejections before you decide to quit? Lucille Ball was considered a failed B-list actress, and her acting teachers told her to find another profession.

Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four, and didn’t read until he was seven. Isaac Newton was not a model student and when he was put in charge of running the family farm, he failed, and was then sent to off to Cambridge.

Every successful person has battled through their share of failures. What made them successful was their perseverance and resilience, even in the face of multiple disappointments and rejections.

In each situation, just one ‘’ yes’’ becomes the turning point. A single yes has the power to turn the tide to our favor.  

What worries me right now is that people are saying no, because that has started to become the norm.

As the world emerges from the COVID crisis, we need to start thinking about saying “yes” more often.

Who can we help with a “yes?” One yes from an investor can make an idea or invention come to life. Another “yes” can bring you a life partner. Maybe the “yes” you are waiting for is your dream job or working with your dream client.

It is easy to let the disappointments take over. Think of the people around you who have allowed this past year to drain enthusiasm, hope, and possibilities.  

It is time to find the power of “yes.”

The power in “yes” starts with permitting ourselves to learn new things, to try new things, and to be open-minded about new ideas.

Saying yes allows us to try, and maybe fail, but find lessons along the way. It means giving room for change and growth in our lives. Saying yes to opportunities pushes us to go an extra mile and jump out of our comfort zone. One “yes” to the right opportunity and – poof – life can be transformed.

Does that mean we wait for opportunities to arrive so we can say “yes?” Well, no. We can’t wait for opportunities to just show up.

The Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” This reminds us that we make our own luck by being prepared.

Saying “yes” is a declaration of belief in ourselves. Saying “yes” boosts confidence. Saying “yes” means we are open to ideas and possibilities.

When we allow ourselves to say “yes” we can more fully find and reach our potential. When we understand how to say “yes” we know our opportunities will meet our preparation.

When we are receptive to experiences, we have more control over our decisions and our destiny.

We only need one “yes.”