Do your conversations about change, growth, development, or tasks ever go something like this?
Someone Other Than Me: Hey, this thing (idea, concept, product, change, etc.) would be really awesome. What do you think?
Me: No, because…. (insert explanation as to why “no, because” is the right thing)
SOTM: Oh, Ok…
Is it just me? I know that I often am a nay-sayer. But, don’t worry. Due to the way that new things are looked at by many people, including myself, being a nay-sayer is commonly labelled as being “realistic”. Doesn’t that sound nice? Realistic.
I love being realistic. It makes me feel in control and important. But, is it really the best use of my thoughts and ideas?
There are so many ways the world is changed, and some of the first steps to generating ideas, change, growth, development, and awesome-ness is by changing our vocabulary. In the example conversation above (which is a common one for many people), my immediate response is one of closure. “No, because…” That doesn’t really leave much room for interpretation. It is an immediate closing down of the conversation. “No, because…” is a mindset of fear. Fear of obstacles. Fear of success. Fear of change. So many good ideas die in the land of “No, because…”
How do we leave the land of “No, because…”?
- Remove those two words from your vocabulary.
- Add in their place “Yes, if…”
“Yes, if…” changes everything. This phrase moves a conversation forward. These two words nurture idea growth and change. These two words are the door hinges to awesome-ness. This idea is the heartbeat of innovation. New ideas thrive in the land of “Yes, if…” Who doesn’t love dreaming up big changes and ideas.
Let’s look at the opening conversation again, this time with our new vocabulary.
Someone Other Than Me: Hey, this thing (idea, concept, product, change, etc.) would be really awesome. What do you think?
Me: Yes, if… (insert explanation as to how this can happen, not how it cannot)
SOTM: Oh, Ok… well the first thing that would have to happen is….
“Yes, if…” is an invitation to: Growth. Change. Creativity. Awesome-ness.
Who doesn’t want to go to that party?
– Mitch (and the LifeSuccess.com Team)
