What if, when your usual response to something would be “no”, you instead say “yes”?
Click start to play today’s Crossword, where “yes” hides in one of the answers to the clues provided.
British billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, has long been known to be a fan of saying yes. In fact, he’s earned an apt nickname among his Virgin employees – Dr. Yes. According to a November 2019 report in US-based business website Forbes, Branson said he preferred to say yes over no because “opportunity favours the bold – this is a lesson that I learned early on…”
When you choose yes over no, it opens doors you never realised existed, especially in the workplace. Here are five reasons why saying yes can make a huge difference:
1. It opens you up to new opportunities
When you say yes, you’re willing to move past your comfort zone and embrace new challenges. Having a growth mindset means you lead with your curiosity, and learn what you need to along the way.
2. It invites collaboration
The word “no” shuts down conversations and progress, but with “yes”, you create an open platform, full of possibilities, and invite others to take the floor, collaborate, and participate in productive discussions.
3. It empowers and affirms others
The simple act of saying yes acknowledges to the other party that they have been heard, that they matter, and that you are paying attention. It also signals trust, which is incredibly empowering.
4. It creates a safe environment
Being open to new challenges mean you’re willing to give something a try, even if you fail a few times. The whole atmosphere is risk-tolerant, and is focused on trying, learning, and innovating. Failures are never the end of a new venture, because each attempt can be used as a learning opportunity.
5. It makes life more fun
It can bring you new, unexpected sources of joy. Award-winning American television producer Shonda Rhimes, for instance, writes in her book Year of Yes, that her entire life changed when she committed to saying yes to everything for one year. It started with her saying yes when her toddler asked her if she wanted to play in the middle of a busy day, and went on to see her win numerous Emmys for her many television shows.
Do you consciously try to say yes instead of no? Play today’s Crossword and tell us at games@gulfnews.com.
