Two weeks into my final project at a Coding Boot Camp, I had a group lunch with some of my classmates and instructor. As we waited for our food, my Instructor asked “would anyone like to teach a crash course tomorrow?” Everyone on the table went radio silent.

The crash course explores Javascript programming basics including basic HTML and CSS concepts. The audience is usually prospective coding Bootcamp students. Only teaching assistants with at least 2yrs of experience teach this crash course.

My initial reaction was to listen to the voice of fear in my mind. The script sounded like this – what if I mess up? What if I lose my train of thought? What if I do a terrible job? Then I remembered I was in my “YES” month and I wasn’t backing out on my commitment to myself.

After much struggle, I turned to my instructor and said “YES! I will teach the crash course tomorrow”. I felt so excited and nervous at the same time. My instructor promised to prep me for the course and I was so relieved. At the end of the prep session, I realized I knew way more than I gave myself credit.

I Made History

On the day of the crash course, I was so nervous like anyone else doing something new for the first time. A lot of my classmates were there to cheer me on. At the end of the lecture, I got a resounding ovation. I received lots of positive feedback from the attendees and my peers. The crash course was such a huge success!

My instructor was so proud of me and in his own words he said:

“The attendees ate out of the palm of your hands, you did a fabulous job.” – Justin Richards

I became the first female student to teach a crash course before graduation. I only had 5months of coding experience under my belt. Wow! I made history that day by saying “YES” to a teaching opportunity. What if I didn’t say “YES”? What if I allowed the fear of failure and shame to cripple me? What if I made the excuse of being too busy working on a demanding final project? Someone else would have made history that day.

Say “YES” For A Change

The idea of making one month in the year a “YES” month came from my friend and mentor Jokotade. A “YES” month is a month you decide to say yes to new opportunities, friendships, and appointments. You don’t give too much thought to whether you’ve got what it takes to avoid backing out. You say “YES”! The goal is to stretch yourself into your discomfort zone where you act with courage in the midst of your fears.

I often over rationalize trying new things. I tell myself why I can’t do it or how I don’t have what it takes. Sometimes the fear of failure holds me back. I say “NO” because I’m afraid of failing at the new opportunity or challenge. Other times, it’s the shame that comes from failure that holds me back. I want to get it right the first time with no room for failure.

Guess What? I threw that mindset in the trash and so can you. Carol Dweck calls it having a fixed mindset. She prescribes a growth mindset instead — a mindset focused on learning and improving. Saying “YES” activates a growth mindset. According to Michael Hyatt, growth happens in your discomfort zone.

When To Say “YES” And When To Say “No”

Wisdom is knowing when to say “YES” and when to say “NO“. Say “YES” to:

• Opportunities that honor your core values and help you fulfill your purpose.

• Relationships that energize you and make you a better person.

• Taking responsibility for your personal growth.

• Taking ownership for your feelings, attitudes, behaviors, and choices.

• Starting your business after careful planning and strategizing.

Say “NO” to:

• Opportunities that dishonor your core values and distract you from fulfilling your purpose.

• Relationships that drain you and make you become someone else.

• Immature behaviors and patterns that keep your life moving around in circles.

• Blaming others for your feelings, attitudes, behaviors, and choices

• Using over planning and strategizing as an excuse to stall on starting your business.

3 Things To Do After You Say “YES”

Figure out the “How”

In the words of Marie Forloe – “Everything Is Figureoutable”. This mindset will help you learn to figure things out. In my story, my instructor offered to prep me to teach the crash course. In your case, you can spending time thinking and coming up with possible how to steps. You can gain more insight from blogs, articles, courses or google search. You can also read books to find out how, you can leverage coaches or mentors. There is so much information and how to content out there to help you. There’s nothing new under the sun.

Make Learning and Improving Your Goal

Remember the goal of saying “YES” is to stretch you and make you a better person. It’s not about proving anything to anyone. It’s not about showing off. It’s about choosing courage over convenience so you can grow in character and grit. When I stepped up to teach, I gained teaching experience. There’s always room to learn and improve.

Celebrate Your Progress

Regardless of the outcome, be proud of yourself for stepping up. Be proud of doing something you’ve never done before. Don’t downplay your experience. Don’t beat yourself up if you mess up. Celebrate your lessons learned! Celebrate your courage! Celebrate your progress! Celebrate the person you become!

You’ll never be in a perfect situation to make a perfect decision. Step into your discomfort zone. It’s an opportunity to stretch, learn and improve.

– Chichi Ukomadu

You Can Ask For The Opportunity

My story reminds me of Peter, a Jewish Fisherman who had an opportunity to make history. He was in a boat with his colleagues and they were cruising through the sea. They saw their instructor walking on water. Peter asked for an opportunity to join his instructor and walk on water. He didn’t wait for anyone’s permission. He knew the kind of growth he wanted to experience and he wasn’t afraid to seek out the right opportunity.

His instructor gave him the opportunity. Peter stepped out of the boat to join his instructor. His instructor helped him figure out the “How” and helped him when he stumbled. Peter learned to choose courage over convenience. Peter was proud of his accomplishment because he made history.

Sometimes you need to ask for the opportunity. Keep asking until you get a “YES“. You might have to ask several times, several people, and on several occasions. The same courage is required to ask and to say “YES”. You don’t always have to have it all figured out. Saying “YES” to the right opportunity will stretch you beyond your comfort zone. It should always be about learning and improving!

LEAVE A COMMENT!

I challenge you to make this month your “YES” month and embrace the opportunities that stretch you. What opportunities are you passing up by not saying “YES” to the right things? What opportunities do you need to ask for and keep asking until you get a “YES“? I’ll love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.