Think about how often you find yourself saying yes. Yes to opportunities, events, activities, etc. If your answer is often, that's great and you're most likely in a wonderful place in your life. But if you, like many others, find yourself saying no more often than not, you are limiting yourself to possibilities and shutting out opportunities to live your best life.
Now don't get me wrong here. I'm not suggesting that you say yes to things that aren't good for you, or just saying yes to please others. Doing this will leave you drained, both physically and mentally. Instead, I'm talking about saying yes for yourself. Doing things out of your comfort zone that will bring you to new places where you can discover things you never have before.
Going out of your comfort zone is scary, there's no doubt about that. It takes courage and strength to do something you've never done before. But if you never break out of your normal routine, you won't grow as a person.
Saying yes and keeping an open mind has so many benefits. You will build your self-worth and gain confidence you never thought you had. Saying yes to things that feel good allows you to realize what you are capable of.
Take this for example, someone asks you to take a new position at your job that requires more responsibility and obligation. You're nervous because you've never done something quite like this before. By saying yes to this position, you learn your capabilities of leading others and being responsible AND you succeed. If you would have said no to this, you would have never known your potential, and how great you could have been doing something you'd never done before.
Saying yes also leads to new relationships. Being open to others and activities will help you build friendships that you would have never before. If you're a college student, join a group on campus even if you don't think it will be your thing. Or, join a book club or volunteering organization. Through these activities you can meet people with the same interests as you, even if you were nervous to do so. You may even meet a lifelong friend in the process.
Going back to that, by trying new things you will uncover new opportunities and learn more about yourself. Maybe you never thought you would enjoy packing food for Feed My Starving Children, but you've since realized the ability you have to change someone's life by just donating a few of your hours to service. That is an incredible feeling that will keep you motivated to do more for others, which will enrich your character.
Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt said it beautifully during one of his commencement speeches, "Find a way to say yes to things. Say yes to invitations to a new country. Say yes to meeting new friends. Say yes to learning a new language, picking up a new sport. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job. Yes is how you find your spouse, and even your kids. Even if it's a bit edgy, a bit out of your comfort zone, saying yes means you will do something new, meet someone new and make a difference in your life, and likely in others' lives as well. … Yes is a tiny word that can do big things. Say it often."
Yes leads to more open doors. By saying no to opportunities you are shutting those doors. If you say no, this door may never open again. So why not try?
Saying yes can be scary because we fear failure, it's human nature. But what we should fear more than failure is missing opportunities that could change your life and help you grow as a person.
