Yes, and; No, but
Sean Moore
No, No, No.
It’s easy to get hung up on that lone two-letter word and start ascribing special meaning to it. It’s easy to get trapped into thinking that by the mere act of saying “No” you drive yourself toward greater success. It’s easy to say we can’t make this work, let’s try something else. It’s easy to say no, let’s not do this because it can’t be done.
In no small part, it is about saying no, but more importantly, it’s about saying no to the things that don’t matter. No isn’t some mystical power; it’s merely a way to avoid compromising on what you believe in.
Yes, and…
That’s the first thing you learn in improv. Well, it’s the first thing you learn in HR-sponsored improv team building workshops. It’s all about accepting the relationship, and then building it. Just what HR wants - smiles and sunshine.
And sometimes, avoiding compromises means saying yes, too. Because without a yes or two, we don’t create amazing things, we don’t identify what matters most to us, we don’t understand what we can’t do without.
No, but…
That’s my take on this relationship. You’ve got to be the champion of your time and attention. Saying yes to everything you’re offered means saying goodbye to anything you hold important. Do you want to be beholden to the future of someone else’s choosing?
But there’s no reason you can’t continue on after that first little word. Gather information, set up a later date to learn more. Think, then act. Maybe what’s being offered turns out to be something that delights you.
Say no to boring things. Say yes to impossible ones. Never stop asking yourself which is which. Always keep what matters most close to your heart.