[SERIES] 4/7 Unpopular Belief: Say Yes To Everything

But you can't say yes to everything!If you do, you'll just be overwhelmed and out of time!This is partially true, but not completely. Let me explain.This is Part 4 of the 7 Unpopular Beliefs Series.

Say Yes To Everything!

Once you're rich, you can say "no."

Until then, you're working on creating new opportunities and building new relationships.When you have too many and you start to feel overwhelmed, it's time to cut the bottom 20%.Kill the bottom 20% of your projects, relationships, whatever you're spending your time on.If you do this continually, the only way is up.

Diversify your opportunities

By saying "yes," to things you might otherwise reject, you're diversifying--a major principle in investing. Over time, you'll learn what returns on investment and what doesn't. This will also protect you from depending too much on one opportunity.If you work for GE for 25 years and suddenly they decide to lay you off, you now have to find another job. If you develop multiple skills and streams of income over 25 years, it's going to be a lot harder to knock you down.

Reinvest In Your Network

"No one has ever said: 'I'm too well liked and I'm too well respected--I just can't seem to make any money.'"- Seth Godin

By showing your network that you appreciate and value them (by adding value), they will appreciate and value you.This creates more opportunities and keeps you fresh in their minds when new ones arise.You also have the benefit of a strong support network when things go sideways.

2 Minute Action:

Take 2 minutes to do one of the following:

• Email/call/text an old colleague and tell them how they made a difference in your life.
• Think of someone who asked you to do something recently. Not a favor like "can you drive me to the airport." I mean more like "hey, do you want to start a really informal podcast about hunting?"
• Say "yes," and commit for a period of time. Have a rule about what will allow you to bail and agree on it with an accountabilibuddy.
• If you're not overloaded, add something to your project list.
• If you're overloaded, kill the bottom 20% of projects you're working on.

The Funny Thing That Happens When People Do What You Want

You can absolutely have it your way.You can absolutely build a team around you who will do everything you ask.You can absolutely be the dictator of your project, company, family, district, region, or whatever.

Just understand some of the consequences:

• By surrounding yourself with "yes," you may not get the pushback you need to grow
• By always having the final say, you set the limit to your own capabilities
• By putting yourself at the center, you will lose touch with the needs of others, which may leave you extraordinarily lonely

You can do whatever you want.

Just make sure you know what you want.

2 Minute Action

What's something you're currently getting push-back on?What would happen if there wasn't any?Maybe it would be fine this time around, but it likely won't every time.Keeping this in perspective will help you maintain your gratitude for those challenging moments.It will also keep you motivated to treat your challengers with respect and empathy.And isn't that what they deserve?