It all started with a simple question from my boss: “Can you handle this?” The “this” in question? Buying lab equipment. Did I know about lab equipment? Nope. Could I rattle off the names of reliable companies, their costs, or negotiation tactics? Double nope. But I said yes anyway.

And that “yes” opened a whirlwind of learning. I made calls, pored over brochures, asked experts (read: I bugged everyone who looked remotely knowledgeable), got multiple quotations, and even learned how to negotiate like I was in a high-stakes Bollywood film. Eventually, I sealed the deal and bought the equipment. Was it easy? Not entirely. Did I stumble? Oh, definitely. But in the end, I learned something invaluable—not just about the process, but about myself.

Here’s the kicker: if my boss hadn’t thrown this at me, I’d have never dipped my toes into the world of equipment buying. And let me tell you, this isn’t a one-off story in my life.

The Power of a Shaky “Yes”

Back in my post-grad days, when my medical school was prepping for NABH accreditation, I volunteered to help the Dean. I wasn’t an expert in checklists, audits, or guidelines. But I stayed up late reading manuals, auditing MRD files, and fumbling my way through accreditation jargon. Today, I can confidently guide any hospital through the process. That shaky “yes” became a life skill.

It’s funny how saying yes can sneakily change your life. I remember the time in school when I said yes to writing a farewell poem, despite knowing zilch about poetry. That small yes nudged me into a lifelong love affair with writing. Or the time I said yes to reading the newspaper at morning prayers, which kickstarted my public speaking journey.

And let’s not even get started on COVID. When I said yes to treating patients during the first wave, I was scared, unprepared, and worried. But that yes gave me lifelong friendships and taught me resilience like nothing else.

Why Saying Yes Matters

Saying yes is scary. It pulls us out of our comfort zones and tosses us into the unknown. But here’s the thing: it’s in the unknown that growth happens. It’s where you stumble into skills, friendships, and memories you’d never have dreamed of. Saying yes doesn’t mean you’ll be perfect—it means you’re willing to try. And trying? That’s where the magic is.

How to Train Your Mind to Say Yes

Of course, saying yes isn’t always easy, especially when you feel unqualified or unprepared. Here are a few tips to help you train your mindset:

1. Reframe Failure as Learning
   Don’t fear failure—embrace it as a stepping stone. Every mistake teaches you something valuable. Instead of thinking, “What if I mess up?” think, “What can I learn from this?”
2. Start Small
   You don’t need to say yes to every giant opportunity right away. Begin with smaller challenges—a new hobby, a small project at work—and build your confidence over time.
3. Trust Your Resourcefulness
   Remember, you don’t need to have all the answers right now. You can ask questions, seek help, and figure it out along the way. Trust that you’ll find a way forward.
4. Visualize Success
   Instead of focusing on how daunting the task feels, picture yourself succeeding. Visualize the outcome—the skills you’ll gain, the people you’ll meet, or the impact you’ll make.
5. Surround Yourself with Encouragement
   Spend time with people who inspire you and push you to try new things. Their confidence in you can work wonders for your own mindset.
6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
   Every step forward, no matter how small, deserves recognition. Celebrate the process rather than obsessing over a flawless outcome.

Yes Is Your Doorway

Saying yes isn’t about overburdening yourself with every single opportunity. It’s about recognizing the ones that excite, scare, or intrigue you, and walking through that doorway even if your knees are shaking. It’s about growth, reinvention, and learning to trust yourself.

So, the next time someone asks you to write a poem, give a speech, buy lab equipment, or take on a project you’re clueless about, don’t hesitate. Say yes. Dive in. You’ll figure it out. And when you do, you might just discover a whole new version of yourself—braver, smarter, and a lot more capable than you ever imagined.

Life’s best adventures often start with an uncertain, wobbly, beautiful “yes.” 💛