As a strategist, one of the key areas where I work with clients is on saying no: How to say it, when to say it, why to say it. Michael E. Porter of the Harvard Business Review has even been quoted as saying that “The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do”.

The challenge is that there is a growing trend or shift in this direction that has us so focused on saying no, streamlining, simplifying, etc. that in some cases we’ve lost sight of our YES.

True strategy means that we begin with a desired end in mind. That end is our YES. The ONLY reason for NO is to keep us FOCUSED on the YES. Think about that for a moment. Do you know where your yeses are?

This insight from Henry David Thoreau came to mind as I thought about this: “It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”

For us to be effective and live the lives we truly want to live, we need to always start with yes. What do we want? It really is about choice. What are we choosing to say yes to? That’s how you keep the NO positive. It may sound counter intuitive but it’s true. Your NO is a positive response when you have started with your YES.

Yes is all about intention. It is the absolute key for understanding the power of choice in every area of our life. When we are saying yes to love, happiness, health, balance and ease a momentum will build. We achieve more of what we focus on.

Begin today and start with your YES – keep that end in mind. The very need for no’s will start to fall away as we attract more of our yeses.

Live (say YES!) today to what you want tomorrow to be. Live (say Yes!) well!