"Yes Man" by David Iverson

Warner Bros. bought the movie rights to an unpublished book, "Yes Man" by British author David Iverson. I heard an interview with the author this morning on BBC World News Service. The general concept is that he had found himself saying "no" far too frequently. The result: he was staying in too much, not doing things with friends and family, and generally not enjoying life.

Somewhere along the way, a stranger told him that he should "Say 'Yes" more!" These three words totally changed Iverson's thinking. He went from being a NObody to a Yes Man. Now, I know that sounds like cheesy marketing soundbiting, but his concept is this: Saying "yes" more often allowed him to think positively, to look forward to doing things rather than in finding excuses for not doing things.

He tried his experiment of saying "yes" for about five months and had many unexpected experiences. He said "yes" to suggestions, dates, offers, etc., that he would otherwise have brushed off. But, in the end, he says that the experience was very empowering -- it changed his outlook completely.

What a strangely interesting concept... to have an outlook of positive momentum, as opposed to dampened conservatism.

After all, what are we waiting for in life, if not to live?