The Power of Yes

In the film "Yes Man," Jim Carrey's character is a chronic "no-sayer." And let's be honest, we can all relate to that, especially you, the outgoing and adventurous soul that you are. But then, something extraordinary happens. Carrey's character meets a self-help guru played by Terrence Stamp, and boom! He becomes absolutely obsessed with saying yes. And guess what? His life magically transforms into a whirlwind of awesomeness!

Now, let me tell you about my incredibly boring existence. I find solace in the sweet confines of my humble abode, where disappointment doesn't dare to tread. It's like my personal fortress, where nothing and no one can penetrate my impenetrable eggshell. I've been a "No Man" for the majority of my existence. Can you believe it? I made it all the way to the ripe age of 40 without ever venturing beyond my comfort zone. I never went anywhere exciting, never did anything remotely interesting. A thrilling day out for me meant taking a solo walk or cozying up at home to watch a movie. If I was feeling particularly adventurous, I'd head to the shops. Wow, I was living life on the edge! Or so I thought. For nearly two decades, I was clueless about how to spend a day out. It basically involved browsing shops and grabbing a bite to eat. That was the extent of my adventure. And here's the kicker: around 90 minutes into any outing, my mind would wander back to the glorious comforts of home. I'd start fantasizing about all the productive things I could be doing there, even though deep down I knew it was just an excuse. Okay, I admit, I did manage to make some decent money as a writer. I was on the verge of replacing my day job with a flourishing online career.

Then, something miraculous happened at the age of 40. I suddenly decided, out of the blue, to make a movie. Who cares about experience, right? It's overrated! As I embarked on my filmmaking journey, another unexpected change came knocking at my door. It was none other than the notorious Instagram, the social media behemoth. People suggested I document my film adventures on this platform. Frankly, I wasn't a big fan of Instagram initially. But hey, I thought, why not give it a shot? Little did I know that my lukewarm interest would soon transform into an all-consuming obsession. One fine day, several months down the line, while my partner and I were strolling with our dogs, I exclaimed, "What a beautiful day!" I captured the moment with a photo and impulsively uploaded it to Instagram. And what do you know? It took off like a rocket! Suddenly, I was sharing snippets of my life through captivating photos and witty captions, and people loved it! I was hooked. Before I knew it, I was posting not just once, but twice, even thrice a day. And the cherry on top? I amassed a legion of followers who hung onto my every word.

Around the same time, I had a burning desire for a specific type of job—a step up from my current position. But did I have the guts to seize the opportunity? Nope, not at first. You see, my partner and I worked together, and the job I desired was right under her nose. So, I took a leap of faith and applied for it over and over again. But alas, fate had other plans. Nothing seemed to pan out, except for a couple of close calls that came with life-altering strings attached. Naturally, I erred on the side of caution and turned those jobs down.

Meanwhile, I continued my Instagram escapades, racking up a thousand likes per post and gaining 400-500 followers every blessed day. Oh, the glory days when the number of followers actually mattered! One fine afternoon, my Instagram universe was rocked by an unexpected message. No, not a scam this time! It was an invitation from Instagram UK, requesting my presence at their headquarters in Seven Dials. I was convinced it was legit. Don't ask me why; my brain was in a state of blissful naivety. Ignoring the skeptics around me, I went for the meeting. And boy, did my gut instincts pay off! Instagram presented me with the opportunity of a lifetime—the role of a business development manager for the UK. They promised me a life filled with jet-setting adventures, mind-blowing training, and exhilarating opportunities. How could I resist? I gleefully embraced the chance to become the social media guru for the whole of the UK. It seemed too good to be true, but hey, life's too short to doubt, right? I dived headfirst into every talk, meeting, and invitation. The best part? I managed to juggle my existing job alongside this exciting new endeavor because, let's be real, the training I received was next-level stuff. It took a solid year to complete, but I was determined to conquer it all.

Little did I know that this change, this crazy rollercoaster ride, would change me in ways I never expected. I strutted down the streets with a newfound swagger. My confidence soared to new heights. Gone were the days of playing the background character. I put myself front and center, and suddenly, people started noticing. Who would've thought that being the business development manager for Instagram UK would make heads turn? Education? Who needs it? I knew what I was doing, and that was enough to win over my colleagues in my day job. Lo and behold, the job I always coveted was finally within my grasp. It was staring at me, beckoning with open arms. The catch? Well, here comes the plot twist—I decided to keep my day job and bid adieu to my Instagram glory.

The next twelve to eighteen months were an absolute whirlwind. I concocted a masterplan to introduce groundbreaking technology at work, making everyone else green with envy. We made headlines worldwide, baby! And as if that wasn't enough, I stumbled upon a fantastic new partner who's been by my side ever since. We now embark on up to 17 adventurous trips per year. But wait, there's more! We also happen to run one of the most successful independent film festivals in the entire UK. It's such a hit that I get invitations from other countries to attend their film festivals, and guess what? They foot the bill! Not satisfied with just one festival, we launched a second one three years ago. And hold onto your popcorn, folks—I even went to Central Asia and had the honor of addressing the entire nation on their national television. Who would've thunk it? On top of all that, I now have the privilege of communicating with actors I idolized during my youth. Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Oh, did I forget to mention? I also run a website dedicated to traveling with an eating disorder. And wait for it—a podcast that racks up a whopping 60,000 listens per episode!

Can you imagine if I had stuck to my old "No Man" ways? None of these extraordinary things would have happened. My life would have remained a monotonous bubble with no boundaries. But no, my friend, I took a leap of faith, and the universe rewarded me with magnificent experiences and endless possibilities. I now work on exciting side projects whenever I please, turning my passions into cold, hard cash. And all the while, I proudly hold onto my day job, the one I snagged back in 2017.

So, here's my challenge to you: Say yes to something you'd usually turn down at least once a week. Trust me, it's a game-changer. Because, let's face it, life before 40 was just existence. Now, life has purpose, and yours can too. Tear down those walls you've built to shield yourself from the unknown. Embrace new opportunities, chase your wildest dreams, and embark on a brand-new life. Remember, we're here for a good time, not a long time. Carpe diem, my friend, and say YES!