This article is part of the Men’s Journal Everyday Warrior series, which includes advice, key interviews, and tips for living a life of lasting impact, continuous growth, and continuous learning.
What is the most powerful word in the English language? While this may generally be a hotly debated topic with competing schools of thought, that’s all changing today because it’s time for a definitive answer. The most powerful word is yes — and here’s why.
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Over the summer, a friend texted me and asked if I would join her in a shooting competition called The Tactical Games. It was barely 8:00 in the morning, I didn’t know anything about the event and we only had four months to train — so of course I said yes.
Despite what you think, I’m not a glutton when it comes to punishment. Good, bad or indifferent, I avoid saying no when opportunities and challenges arise. From a very young age, my mother taught me never to be able to say, could have said. This mentality has made the difference in my life. Don’t get me wrong, saying yes doesn’t always work — and it meant moving more couches than I’d like to admit — but that’s a small price to pay for a fulfilling life.
As is often the case, life got hectic after I told my girlfriend that I would join the shooting competition with her. Time was running through my fingers and our four-month training plan turned into a few sporadic rides on the racetrack.
The big day came and we were determined to give it our all. Over the next three days, we completed physical and tactical tasks, tested our skills and pushed ourselves to the limit. Did we do it well? No, but it was humiliating to realize that even with 17 years of military service, I was no match for these well-trained competitors. It was clear to everyone that I had not only stepped into another arena, but that I had also arrived unprepared.
After the dust settled, I realized that humility was the best case scenario. While challenging and embarrassing, the experience helped me grow and gave me valuable insights. That simple yes in July led to a slightly better version of me driving home after the event.
Why is yes the most powerful word in the English language? Because it is much more than just an adverb or an interjection. It is the embodiment of our potential and growth. In her novel Change of Heart, bestselling author Jodi Picoult writes: “There is life in the space between yes and no. It’s the difference between the path you’re taking and the path you’re leaving behind; it’s the gap between what you thought was possible and who you really are.”
The next time a friend asks you to try something new, remember the path you’d like to take and the person you’d like to become. Then take a step toward those ideals by using the power of yes.
Lisa Jaster is a lieutenant colonel in the US Army reserves and made history in 2015 as one of the first three women to graduate from Army Ranger School. Lisa not only cleverly balances her civilian career, family life and personal interests, but is also a partner and executive development consultant at the Talent War Group.
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