Day 227: The Power of Yes!

Day 227.

I have a problem—a problem saying no.  I need to work on that!  It’s really hard for me.  I like to help.  I like to make people happy.  I like to say yes.  I have a yes problem.  Well, it’s getting me in trouble.  I’ve said yes way too many times recently.  And now, I’m overwhelmed, overextended, and ridiculously behind.  I’ve got three movies to make!  Four with the documentary.  There’s so much to do!  I’ve got to shut my yes’ing mouth so I can get my own creative work done!  Ahhhhhhhhh!

Whew.  That felt good to get out.

Now, it’s time to stop beating myself up, stop panicking, stop complaining and instead, start slowing down, start regrouping and start refocusing.  It’s time to put my oxygen mask on first.  It’s time to pull out the t-shirt!

Just to be clear…

I don’t like to say no, so I wear it instead!

This t-shirt was a gift from Uh-Mazing Romantic Partner nine years ago.  Such a reminder our challenges can resurface at any time!  Or more likely, they’re always with us just in varying degrees.  I saw a tweet yesterday that resonated with me, “Don’t say yes because you’re afraid to say no.”  I’m always afraid I’m going to hurt people’s feelings if I can’t help them the second they ask for my help.  But I have to ask myself, how hurt am I going to be if I don’t keep my word to myself?  Wow.  That’s kinda profound to me right now.  Granted, I just woke up and it is really early, but still.  That’s intense to think about.  Hmmmmmm.  Well, obviously, I’ve been a “yes” woman my whole life.  I can’t fight my Yes-ness.  All I can do is work with it.  Turn it into a super power.  The Power of Yes!  I love that!  Wait, is that a self-help book?  I should read it.

Anyway, so, yes, the t-shirt is funny and a good reminder I do have to say no at times.  But, I think the way I’m going to shift my thinking this morning is that I’m just always going to say yes to me first.  I say YES to me and my dreams!  Oh, that felt good, too.  After I say yes to me and my dreams then I will be more able to say yes to others.  Works for me.  I will now don a cape and call myself Super Yes Woman!

Until tomorrow, create from what you have…the power of yes.

Kelli Joan Bennett is a filmmaker, actress, writer, entrepreneur, advocate for creative thinking and Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Think Outside The Box Inside The Box Media.

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