We can always find reasons not to do something. It’s one of these things that comes to us more naturally than saying yes. A fear of what the commitment will mean takes over us and, even for a split second, we hunt for an excuse.

What’s the worst thing that can happen?

The fear that we feel is usually unfounded. The fear is only inside our minds because we are being asked to go outside of our comfort zone and make a commitment to something.

How many situations end up with you in the following situations? 

• Exposed as being a criminal or dishonest publicly
• Embarrassed by something you do or say and have people you love see you go down in flames
• Naked on live TV

“Err, not many” would be my reply. Not if you’re a decent person with a basic set of morals and no connection to any TV producers who enjoy asking their friends to get naked!

There’s so much to be gained from saying ‘yes’ more often. I struggle with this area myself through a lifetime of being highly cynical and critical of others, but I make an effort now to get more involved in groups and take on new responsibilities.

If we say yes more, the fear starts to go away. We meet new people and good things happen. It becomes clear that the bad things we thought would happen are nothing more than mind games. 

Give it a try this week. Anything that crops up and the call comes out for help or volunteers, override that instant reaction to block it and say yes instead. What happens could actually be great.