2 min readI’m now two weeks into my plan of doing something I’ve never done, every day until I turn 50 in August.  This is proving to be much tougher than I thought.  Some days I really have to push myself to find something new – even if it’s just buying and preparing some new type of vegetable I’ve never cooked before – think mashed sweet potatoes.

However, last week it did push me to say yes when a colleague asked me if I wanted to be her guest at a Pat Mussieux seminar the next day in London, ON.  My first reaction was to say no – it was such short notice, it was supposed to snow, it was in London, I would have to get up at 5am, I would have to reschedule another meeting, I would have to make arrangements for my husband to take my daughter to dance class, I would have to get up at 5am (did I already mention that).

It turns out the seminar was just what I needed.  It got me motivated to “be in business for real” and helped me get focused and disciplined.  I’m very glad I said yes.

Very often our first reaction is to say no.  It keeps us in our comfort zone.  We don’t have to push ourselves very hard.  It’s easier.  But there are consequences to saying no.  By saying no, we know exactly where we will end up – right where we are.  On the other hand, by saying yes, we don’t know where it will lead us.  So next time an opportunity comes up, and it won’t harm you in any way, try saying yes and see where it leads you.

For a fun example of seeing where saying yes can lead you, check out the Jim Carrey movie Yes Man.  You can probably rent it from your local library.