Say Yes to Everything

Hey, you know how everyone tells you to say no to things and set boundaries? Well, I’m here to tell you something different: Say yes to everything. I know, I know, it’s nuts. But hear me out. Saying yes to everything can be awesome for you. It can help you try new things, grow as a person, and make your dreams come true.

Back in the day (the early 2000s), saying no was all the rage. There were books, articles, and speakers telling you how saying no was the secret to being healthy, wealthy, and happy. I spoke to several CEOs who said that saying no was how you stayed focused, saved energy, and avoided burnout. And sure, that makes sense—saying no is important for taking care of yourself and keeping a good balance in your life. But saying no all the time can also hold you back.

A lot of successful people swear by saying no. They think it’s how they show their power and guard their time. They say that saying no is what makes them successful because it lets them concentrate on what really matters. But is that the only way to be successful?

Nah.

I think saying yes to everything can be just as powerful, if not more. When you say yes, you open yourself up to new experiences, opportunities, and challenges. Yes is what makes you learn, create, and innovate. It lets you learn from your mistakes. Remember that whole ‘embrace failure movement? How can you fail without saying yes?

Saying yes sparks your curiosity and leads you to your passions.

I spoke to Andrew Hsu, the President of the College of Charleston, on the podcast. He gave some fantastic advice to incoming freshmen: “Take advantage of the support we have here and participate in campus life. Your college education is not confined within the four walls of the classroom.”

My translation: Say yes to everything. (That sounds like a great idea for a movie, no?)

At first, that might seem like a bad idea (especially if a parent is reading this), but it’s brilliant. College is a time to explore, and saying yes lets you do that fully. You get to join in on-campus life, academics, and extracurricular activities. You get to try different things and find out what you love and what you’re good at.

My old boss was a “No First Man.” He would always say no to ideas right away, without even thinking about them. Almost every time, he would backtrack and say yes moments later, but he couldn’t resist saying no first. I never wanted to become a “No First Man.”

Now, I’m not saying you should say yes to everything without thinking or caring. I’m saying you should say yes to everything with an open mind and a positive attitude. It means giving yourself a chance to try out new things without being scared. It means being open to possibilities, even if they seem hard or scary at first.

Saying yes doesn’t mean you have to stick with something forever; it just means giving things a shot and letting yourself learn from them. By saying yes to everything, you also build better relationships. You become open-minded, cooperative, and supportive. You create a positive and inclusive environment where people share ideas and work together.

As you keep saying yes, you’ll learn more about yourself and what matters to you. You’ll have to say no to some things to keep your balance and avoid doing too much. But these no’s will be smarter and more meaningful because they come from a place of exploration and growth.

While saying no has its benefits, don’t underestimate the power of saying yes to everything. Saying yes can open doors for you that you never imagined. It can help you learn new things, grow as a person, and achieve your goals. It can make you more curious about life.

In the immortal words of basketball announcer Marv Albert, “Yes!”

Make sure to check out my entire conversation with Andrew Hsu, the President of the College of Charleston.

The landscape of higher education has transformed dramatically since many of us went to college, with declining enrollment, rising costs, expanding online options, and the emergence of artificial intelligence.

And we talk about all of it on this week’s Forbes Books Podcast.

You can also listen on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.