Say yes, even before asked (Mike's Story)

Want to make more money?

Want a better position at work, or deeper personal relationships?

Here's a technique that's helped me; just say yes. Say yes and complete the task with excellence.

Saying yes is powerful. Saying yes elevates you.

The boss needs you to take on a project, or stay a little late, find a way to say yes.

Become that person that people can rely on.

If you're not sure how to do it, learn.

The path to saying yes did not begin in the workplace, It started watching one of my best friends negotiate life. For example, we would be at a gathering or a party and I would say "let's go" and he would often ignore me waiting until the party was over to help the host or hostess clean up! Mike loved life, but he loved people more. It gave him great joy to lighten someone's load. Mike learned that from his dad, his dad carried around a half full glass and it seemed like he was always there to help out. His dad always had a smile on his face and would greet you with a handshake and a warm hug.

Saying yes has incredible benefits and some consequences. You know the saying, if you want something done give it to a busy person. And when you say yes, you need to deliver.

Sometimes the task is folding tables and chairs and putting them back in place, most of us can do that. But in the workplace its more complicated. It is usually problem solving. If you are willing to take on the task, you raise your hand. If you are ready to become a leader, you are so engaged that you anticipate the challenge and you come to the table with solutions before the questoin is asked.

Early in my career I was frustrated with the lack of pay which I blamed on the lack of movement.

Then out of the blue I get a call. The person calling asked if I was interested in interviewing for a position that was certainly a step up the ladder but would require a move.

I said yes. Then of course it struck me, I had no idea the responsibilities of this position so I called a friend who I thought would know. He did. I studied up on the demands of the opportunity, jumped on a plane and within a few weeks I was negotiating a 40% raise and my first true management position.

That position put me in contact with higher level managers providing great exposure and great learning opportunities.

On the way to that fateful decision I had developed a habit of saying yes to most things. I had broaden my interests and my passion to learn and I was eager to put myself out there. I was in my mid-20's and believed I could do about anything.

I embraced the idea of being in charge, I quickly learned that the road to success is built on a pathway of failures, I was OK with that as long as I had one more chance to succeed.

What about you? Are you stuck in the mud?

Start small. Volunteer for the little things in which you know you can succeed.

Then put your sights on something higher. Do the work to be successful and take on the task.

It's a scientific fact that success rewards you with a shot of dopamine giving you a powerful sense of accomplishment.

I suggest starting small so you can build a mountain of success before you hit a failure.

Learning to say yes, and accomplishing the goal is one of the keys to my life of success and happiness.

I am building my tribute wall to the people whose examples have helped my achieve success.

Mike's example was a key to my success and frankly it made me a better person.

If you would like a little help in building your wall, you can connect with me at Sknott@stantheconsultant.com

Words to the wise.

Know what you are getting yourself into. You create more harm than good if you continually fail at the goal you have agreed to achieve.

Examine yourself, are you a competitive person? Do you hate to lose more than you love to win?

That competitive edge provides the passion to achieve the goal.