by Sandye Linnetz
YES is a mighty powerful word… are you mindful when you use it? According to the dictionary it is an affirmative response that “gives agreement”. YES is a decision and a choice. Are you choosing carefully and with consideration when you make that commitment? And let’s be clear, YES is a commitment.
You’ve probably heard that when you say YES to something you are, simultaneously, saying NO to something else. It’s that front of the hand/back of the hand kind of thing – you can’t have one without the other. A YES to yourself may include a NO to putting others first. A YES to others may include putting yourself on the back burner. YES is a choice and the choice is yours!
Saying YES to what you want – your desired outcome in any area of your life – is likely a NO to the way it is and the way it was. Your commitment – your YES – to success or joy or excellence is a resounding NO to the people, situations, activities and thoughts that currently leave you feeling stressed, upset, confused, disillusioned or distraught.
A YES to over-committing yourself may be a NO to doing your best; it’s certainly a YES to stress. A YES to organization is a NO to clutter and chaos. In business, a YES to profitability is a NO to working by the seat of your pants.
Years ago I starred in a community theater production of 70 Girls 70 (by John Kander and Fred Ebb). One of my favorite songs was “Yes”- Liza Minnelli sang it on “Liza with a Z” before I did it. It was a joy to sing. Here’s an excerpt:
Say “Yes.”
Life keeps happening every day,
Say “Yes.”
When possibilities come your way,
You can’t start wondering what to say
Don’t say “Why,”
Say “Why not?”
What lies beyond what is,
Is not.
So what?
Say “Yes.”
So I suggest that you say YES to what excites you… to those things or people in life you hold precious – and start with saying YES to yourself.
Nice post. I always begin my each year teaching my new charges how to ask effective questions of others and of themselves. It is so powerful to see them blossom once they see the power of asking. Teaching them to overcome their fear has been very important. My father never answered a question with an answer, but he did answer it with another question. Thus, he unlocked my ability to access my own ability to answer my own questions or at least wait for the answer to come to me. It was a powerful tool for him in a disagreement with me. If I asked, “Why do I have to do the dishes?” His replied left me unarmed and I had to surrender, “Why do you think you need to do the dishes?” No matter what answer I couldn’t argue with my own reasons.