Way back around the middle of the month, on ‘N’ day, Kate Larkindale wrote a post about saying ‘No’. She had some great thoughts on the matter, and I’m a lot the same way. It’s not just that I dislike disappointing people, I also love learning new things and pursuing opportunity. So especially at work, I have a hard time saying no because…what if I miss out?

The funny thing about this is we hear ‘No’ so often in our lives. It’s one of the first words so many children learn and it doesn’t stop there. It exists in the rules we’re raised on, the colleges and jobs we apply for, our romantic lives, and (very worst of all of course) the publishing world.

“No, I’m sorry this just isn’t right for me.”

“No, we won’t be publishing your story, thank you for submitting.”

“No, we really don’t think a story about a pink shirt with green polka-dots is considered speculative fiction just because the clothing is ugly and on display in a mall. Please don’t submit again.”

The word ‘No’ is kind of a downer. Like an epic downer.

That’s why today instead, I’m telling you all Yes.

Regardless of what you’re working on, be it writing, a tough project at the office, a thesis, coursework, all of it.

Yes, you can do this.

Yes, you can finish that novel.

Yes, you can make that presentation the most wicked, awesome thing anyone has ever seen and blow their socks off.

Yes.

You know what the difference between a writer and a published author is? The published author didn’t give up.

Yes, you should keep pushing because you’re that awesome, and that talented, and your ideas are epic, and no one can tell your stories quite the way you can, and damnit, that counts for a lot.

The next trick is, you have to accept this gift. Use this Yes for all it’s worth and abuse the hell out of it today. It’s yours to keep.

What are you going to use your Yes for today?

Yes, you earned this.

Update: Check this out as well from Janet Reid and Ira Glass.