Even though January has passed and the year is already flying by, I still can’t help but think of New Year resolutions. In a meeting I attended not too long ago, resolutions were brought up once again to remind people of the empty promises they made themselves. Life is full of unexpected turns and with making concrete resolutions, it makes it harder to stick to it.
Personally, I do not believe in New Year resolutions; I believe in just becoming a better person. Everything I found in the past year and month is to be a “yes man.” Life is too short for you to be “concrete” in your life. It is too short for you to think that you have to set a resolution because it is what society tells you to do. My goal every year is always the same: be greater. By covering every type of goal in two words, it influences me to just improve in every aspect in my life. Whether I decide to workout every day, to smile and laugh more, or just to enjoy the cards I’ve been dealt. And by being a yes man, you will experience so much more in life that you never would’ve imagined.
Some experiences I never would have imagined going through are driving to the beach at 11 p.m. just because my friend invited me to come anytime, being on stage and having to awkwardly participate in games that require you to look like a fool, or simply saying yes to going on a date with someone you never would’ve expected to be interested in.
When life throws you opportunities, you need to take them. Say you have a few hours to spare when an acquaintance asks you to lunch before your class? What’s the harm? Or when your best friends decide to drive to the east coast for spring break but you’re skeptical because it’s just not a normal thing you would do.
Go for it. Shoot for the stars. Let your life be in your control and let it be run by the decisions and choices you make.
One thing I learned from saying yes to these opportunities is that I’ve started to love life more. I let go of the fear of failure and I dive head first in anything I set my heart to, regardless of what anyone else says.
So here are a few steps in being a yes man:
First, let go of any fear or anxious feeling of either failing, not following social norms, or leaving your comfort zone. Break free from expectations and fulfill your own wishes.
Second, be rational. Obviously saying yes to absolutely everything people ask you to do in this world isn’t a good idea, but in moderation saying yes to a great opportunity of growth is so beneficial.
And finally, start looking at life with a glass half-full mentality. If you continue to think school and life suck because of some events that have happened, your emotional state of life will continue to snowball downhill because you don’t enjoy life. Take what life has given you, learn from mistakes and choices you make, and say yes to opportunities to grow into the person you want to be.
