Yes or No?

"I have enjoyed life a lot more by saying yes than by saying no."
- Richard Branson

Not too long ago, I watched the movie Yes Man with Jim Carrey. Naturally, being a Jim Carrey fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, but this movie spoke to me a bit more than I may have anticipated. As might be expected, most of his movies I don't watch for the life lessons that are weaved in and out of the storyline, but rather for the senseless comedy and effortless expressions that seem so natural for him. This movie, however, got me thinking about how I approach my own life. Then it got me thinking about how others around me live their lives, and let me tell you that the observations are all over the board! It truly amazes me that the tiny words "yes" and "no" can have such a huge impact on the outcome of your day, or even your life! Let's look at some scenarios.

Our entire professional lives are built on yes and no answers, and while one or two "wrong answers" may not kill your career, a series of them certainly can! We're often challenged with new responsibilities from our bosses or clients and how we respond can dictate what will be waiting for you around the corner, good or bad. For example, if you're asked to do something "above and beyond" your previously understood responsibilities, saying no may not get you fired, but it certainly may keep you from advancing any time soon. However, saying yes might open a door of opportunity that may have otherwise been overlooked (especially if in comparison to someone else within your department). Then again, saying yes to everything can also create an environment in which you get taken advantage of, or taken for granted.

The same concept applies in our personal lives. When was the last time you went and saw a movie you didn't want to, ate at a restaurant you didn't think you would like, or participated in an activity you otherwise just didn't want to do? I would think that many times we're pleasantly surprised at the outcome and that maybe it wasn't as bad as we expected. Often times, in fact, we're glad that we were convinced otherwise and look forward to doing that very thing again! And what if we had just stuck to our instinct to say no, for the simple reason that we didn't want to (barring any moral or obligational sacrifice)? Well, then we're certainly missing out on many more experiences that others are enjoying.

Next time you find yourself wanting to say no to something, consider why you're saying no. Is it because of fear, laziness, society in general, or are you saying no because of morals, conflicting responsibilities or other obligations? If it's the former, than get over it and get on with it! If it's the latter, than stick to your guns and feel good about your decision. Always saying yes, or always saying no certainly isn't the answer, just be sure the answer you're giving is for the right reasons.