The Power of Saying "Yes" (LinkedIn Backlog | March 2025)

If an opportunity scares me, that’s usually a pretty good indication that it’s something I need to move toward instead of away from. I’m not talking about the feeling in the pit of your stomach that says something isn’t right. I’m talking about when an opportunity presents itself and you’re excited but scared to take a leap into something you don’t have experience with. 

That was how I felt diving headfirst into higher education when starting my job at SEMO. It’s the same feeling I got when deciding if I should go to graduate school, when I went to my first Zumba class in years AND made a TikTok about it, and so many other times I decided to go for something that felt like it had the potential to change my life. 

It can be easy to stick with what feels safe. We gravitate toward tasks we know we can do well, roles that feel familiar, and routines that offer comfort. But the moments that have truly shaped my growth have come when I've said yes to opportunities that felt a little (or a lot) outside my comfort zone. 

Saying yes doesn’t mean overcommitting or stretching yourself too thin. It means recognizing opportunities that spark a little nervous excitement—those are often the ones that lead to the most growth. 

If you're an early-career professional, I encourage you to embrace the opportunities that challenge you. Apply for the project you think is out of reach, volunteer with the organization you’ve been thinking about, or explore a skill you've always been curious about. You'll be surprised at what you learn about yourself when you say yes. 

Let's yap in the comments! What's one time you stepped out of your comfort zone and said yes to something new? How did it shape your journey?