The power of saying yes.
Do you remember the last time you turned down an invitation? Whether it’s a friend inviting you for a social outing or just a colleague asking you to take a break together, there’s a good chance you said “no” to something very recently, perhaps even today. Now, you may have had any number of reasons, and they may be really good reasons for you, but here’s one thing I realized: each invitation you turn down is a missed chance for a beautiful experience. Moreover, if you turn down a couple of them, they will stop coming. This is why today, I’d like to talk to you about the power of saying yes.
Unexpected opportunities.
In these days of modern information technology, it seems like we get flooded with options like never before. For me, hardly a day passes without some sort of invitation to outings: they come as digital newsletters, on social networking sites, or through communities I signed up for. There’s a good chance it’s similar for you. Do you often find yourself turning them down because
a) They’re impersonal
b) You don’t know anybody at that event
c) You’re not really interested
d) You “don’t have time”?
Well, the fact is: often enough, you actually do have time, even if it’s just an hour. Who knows what kind of surprise awaits you, for instance, at that artist gathering? You may just run into a future business partner… Or an amazing woman.
Loosening personal ties.
Now, the greater danger lies in turning down people from your immediate or remote social circle. Everytime you reject somebody’s approach, you thwart their intention to spend time with you and socialize. Assume that anybody who invites you does so because they are truly interested in being around you: how long will they keep asking before they give up on you and move on to someone else? “Losing touch” is a process that happens in the background, often barely perceptible, but it actually happens quickly and soon enough, you’ll have a hard time catching up. By not joining one social gathering, you won’t even hear about subsequent gatherings that people set up on the spur while they’re there.
You’re out of the loop in no time.
Don’t let that happen. When people invite you to spend time with them, think of the power of saying “yes”: you’re affirming and validating the person’s approach, and you’ll open yourself up for some quality time with another person that otherwise, you may actually spend at home by yourself in the misguided idea of “having more important things to do”. Beauty lies in the people around you. Keep them close.
