In the 2008 movie Yes Man, Jim Carrey plays a negative guy who becomes determined to change his life around by saying “yes” to everything. This change has immediate positive results: he learns new skills, experiences adventures, and meets a beautiful love interest. This movie feeds on the vicarious desire of us all to not miss out on our life possibilities or regret declining lost opportunities. But it makes one wonder, is it healthy to agree to too many things? While giving yourself the freedom to say “yes” to anything is a powerful tool for getting the most out of life, it can also be a psychologically harmful mentality.
The Power of Yes
There is a power to always being open to experiencing new things. Many of us find patterns we like and stick to them. It’s somewhat inevitable to be attracted to the safety of familiarity. But that familiarity can prevent you from new experiences that may just change your life for the better. Saying “yes” more often brings new opportunities which might otherwise be avoided through fear of the unknown or embarrassment. For example, you might not want to volunteer to present your project at the company board meeting, but saying “yes” could greatly benefit your career and provide a confidence boost. This openness to “yes” is key for improving your life, but at what point do too many agreements hit diminishing returns?
When Saying “Yes” Starts Becoming “No” to Yourself
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Joint Chiropractic — https://www.thejoint.com/alabama/mountain-brook/mountain-brook-22009/329590-psychology-saying-yes-too-much
C.B. James Writing 