This is going to seem confusing to some because I am a big believer in saying no.  I know several friends who are overwhelmed in their daily lives because they cannot say ‘no’ to anything and therefore find themselves obligated to a lot of activities.  In the last few years, I have worked very hard to say no to things that deep down I just really didn’t want to do.  In this effort, I have protected the time in my life to do the things and spend time with the people that really matter to me.  If you are having trouble with this…I urge you to learn to say no!

However…there are times when you should just say yes. Those times when you are a little bit scared of the request because it might stretch you or push you a bit…those times, say yes.   Maybe you think you won’t know anyone at a networking event but you really want to hear the speaker…say yes! When you are offered to choose a book for the book club but you’ve never chosen before and you are afraid that no one will want to read your favorite author…say yes! Or when your boss wants you to present a project to the board but you are not sure you are ready…say yes!

There are times in our work and personal lives when we need a little push off the high dive. My high dive moment came last week when one of my favorite people, Paulette Nieuwenhof with the Poultry Federation, needed an emcee for her Ladies Luncheon and she asked me to be the emcee. I immediately thought NO WAY but the more Paulette and I talked the more I realized I needed to say yes.  I have no problem speaking in front of a crowd, I’ve attended this luncheon four times in the past so I know what the emcee responsibilities are and I cannot say no to Paulette.  But more than that, I needed to say yes to push myself and expand my comfort zone a bit.  I’m running a business for goodness sake, I can surely emcee a ladies luncheon…right? Right!

So, in a couple of weeks, because I said yes, I will be honored to emcee the Poultry Festival’s Ladies Luncheon, A Garden Party.  

When was the last time you were nervous to say yes but it turned out fine? I’d love your reassurance to hear your story!