Say Yes: A Simple Way to Change your Situation.
Lately I’ve felt time passing by… fast. My patterns of behavior and thought are letting time pass quickly. These mental and behavioral habits let us “do” without making as much effort, which can be a great thing for productive habits. Occasionally though, these habits may cause us to feel stuck and unproductive, caught in a stationary state. Learning to accept invitations to do or try something different can be a powerful catalyst to change your overall situation.
I’ve felt this most often with jobs that feel like they are trapping me, or living situations that are suffocating, yet changing my situation feels like too much effort. Gaining the mental energy to make big changes is hard – whether in love, life, or work. Our habits can propel growth, but also limit us and prevent embracing growth that would be of real benefit.
Startup Woes
I felt this a few years back with a job at a failing startup. The company had grown, but was not sustaining new customers. I had the responsibility to continue selling product, yet saw accounts fall through the cracks months later when the support system was not in place. It was hard to see the company that I had invested so much time into slowly fail. I could see the writing on the wall, but honestly my confidence was low as I saw the business I had spent so much time trying to keep alive slowly die. Getting a new job felt like an impossible task, while staying with the company was also not the right move.
What helped in my transition was embracing change as it was offered, as I didn’t have the mental energy or confidence at that point to proactively seek out change. When friends approached me about other job opportunities I welcomed the opportunities. Embracing the possibility of change fueled my confidence and excitement for life. The impossibility of change before, was transformed to energetic seeking with the option of new opportunity.
I embraced change as it was offered to me, and found a job that I loved. This is not to say that I accepted the first job that was offered, but that when I began to be open to change, to allow change, to accept changes invited to me, that more opportunities for change were presented.
Be a “Yes” Person
This attitude of embracing offered change, of being a ‘Yes’ person, will create incredible opportunities. When you are open to what is available, to offered change, the social and professional opportunities will flourish.
Embracing offered change is different from proactively changing your circumstances. It is a form of trust, where you begin to let into your heart things that were not before considered. We can each look into our hearts and see that there are ways that we are closed off. Perhaps we do not allow new people into our lives, being selective with who we choose to associate with, or see ourselves above certain jobs. In other ways we may disqualify ourselves – choosing to turn down opportunities not because they are beneath us, but because we do not feel worthy. In either situation, whether denying change because we are too good, or not good enough, we are closing ourselves off from the change that is possible.
Many times a lateral job move (one that we may not see as a promotion) is still an advancement because it is change, or choosing to love when it is offered, are good steps as they are opening us to a new future state.
New City, New Friends
Socially, the same principle applies. I remember moving to a new city, and not having the same rich friendships from my previous home. It was hard breaking into a new social scene, and finding the same depth of connection that I was used to. I was lonely, and starting from scratch was daunting. I became a little socially desperate – accepting whatever invitations came my way.
Amazingly people that perhaps I considered myself “too cool” to spend time with before became my closest friends in this new city. I found adventure, laughs, and acceptance with this new group of people. My shallow judgements were replaced with meaningful connection. Whether you feel left out from not being cool enough, or falsely believe (as I did) that you are “too cool” for your new environment, embrace opportunities to get out and connect with others. Approaching such invitations with kindness and acceptance will leave you with real loving connections.
Embrace change and accept what is offered, whether with work or socially. You will find new energy, stronger relationships, and more satisfaction. Life is full of opportunities, and you will surprise yourself when you begin embracing those options instead of disqualifying or looking down on the changes that await.
