A simple “No” can eliminate a lot of wasted time and energy from your life. Not every activity warrants what precious little we have left at the end of a day. Not every person who wants your attention can have it. There’s plenty of advice around the simple power of “No.”

When dealing with a stranger, the default of “no” is even easier. Want to buy a water softener? Do you have a few minutes for this survey? Would you like my leftover sandwich? No. It’s not necessarily fear, but it is protective. No is safer than yes.

No is also a defense mechanism. And one which we can go to in times of stress and trauma. Depression also says No. Want to go out? Want to get a little work done? Want gourmet dinner and dessert? No.

Opportunity, on the other hand, requires a yes. When we call a potential candidate, that person needs to get to a yes. When we think about what we might want to do to expand our business, each choice is a yes. Even listening to the available options takes a yes. 

Invention and creativity require a yes as well. While they say necessity is the mother of invention, a Yes mindset drives the actual innovation. Lighting candles sucks, want to see what happens if we channel electricity through a tungsten filament in a glass tube instead? Yes!

Imagine being the first person to suggest the light bulb. You would have heard the word “No” from many people on many occasions. Thomas Edison himself was anti-Alternating Current, feeling like it was too dangerous.

Can you imagine a world without light bulbs and AC outlets in your home? For all the safety and time protection in No, a possible world of wonder and adventure waits behind a Yes. Use wisely.