The Answer Is Always Yes

The answer is always YES!  That seems like an impossible statement, right?  Just hear me out… 

I like hearing yes and most everyone else does too.  Yes can lead to good things, but it can also lead to overcommitments of time and resources.  I’ve read books that attempted to teach me how to say, “no.”   I struggle with them all.  But, completely understand their intent. 

The Answer Is Always Yes

I received a call three weeks ago from a dear friend.  They had two extra tickets to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game here in Cobb County, Georgia.  My friend generously offered them to my son and I.

After hearing this incredible offer, I paused.  I remembered that I was traveling for work that week.  The game was on Tuesday night and I wouldn’t be back until Wednesday night.  My gut told me that there was going to be a conflict.  I bring my family on this trip and Grant always leaves one of the events early to go watch the Homerun Derby with a friend.

The trip was already booked.  I was in a pickle.  So, I asked if I could check my schedule and call them back.

No sooner than when I pressed the button to end the call did I think to myself, “What were you thinking?  The answer is always yes!”  I called my friend back immediately and said, “Yes!” 

Here are two things that answering yes did for me and what it can do for you!

Prioritize Them

I’m sure you thought the same thing I said to myself, “What were YOU thinking?”  Before you judge me too much, I am a processor.  It takes me a minute to let my brain compute the reality before me!  Or, maybe I’m just slow!

The concept of “work-life balance” is an easy one to lecture others on.  It’s tougher to live it out in our own worlds.  In fact, I’m not a huge fan of the concept anyways. 

It really should be the concept of “managing work life imbalance.”  I’m not sure it’s possible to achieve perfect balance in these arenas.  I do believe it is possible to realize when the scales are tipping too far towards work and away from life and being aware enough to correct it. 

Work pays the bills, puts food on the table, funds youth sports, vacations, etc.  Sometimes work wins.  But…never in the face of a once in a lifetime experience. 

Yes prioritizes the people who will cry at our funerals.  Make them the priority by always answering yes.       

Create Experiences

I ended up cancelling our hotel room for Tuesday night.  The plan was to leave the conference on Tuesday at noon and drive back to Atlanta.  It was a six-and-a-half-hour trip and would put us back just in time for the game. 

As far as Grant was concerned, we were coming back for a work-related issue that I needed to deal with.  I bought him an Austin Riley jersey and a Braves hat with an Allstar logo on it as part of the surprise.

As we made it through Atlanta traffic, I told the family that I needed to get some gas.  We exited off just before the stadium.  I pulled into a parking lot close enough to the stadium to not give the surprise away.  We parked, I tossed him the jersey and the hat and told him we were going to the game!  He was surprised to say the least!    

Ever spend an entire day taking stuff to Goodwill to make room for the new gifts from Christmas?  Yeah…me too.  Stuff fades.

What doesn’t fade…experiences.  Creating Unforgettable Memories for the people I love has always been something extremely important to me.  Intentional or extemporaneous, it doesn’t matter.  It’s the creation of them that does.  These experiences are not only etched in their minds, but deep within their hearts. 

Experiences are unforgettable.  When we receive an opportunity to create one, the answer is always yes!    

Conclusion

Now, the leadership lesson.  Back in 2002, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was faced with a tough decision.  The All-Star Game was in its eleventh inning and still tied.  While he faced criticism for doing so, he had no choice but to end the game in a tie. 

The average fan was furious.  How could baseball end in a tie?  Especially one of the biggest games of the year! 

This almost happened again in 2018.  Then, at some point in 2022, someone decided to say yes to a solution.  They developed the “Home Run Swing-Off.”  Three players on each team would receive three swings, the team with the most homeruns wins.    

At the top of the ninth inning, the National League was up 6-4.  Grant and I were planning to ride home with a friend, so with the game in hand, we decided to head towards the section they were sitting in. 

When we got there, the American League started coming back.  They tied the game 6-6!  Not wanting to miss the experience, we went back to our seats.  The National League didn’t score in the bottom of the ninth.  The game was still tied.  What now? 

Honestly, I had completely forgotten about the new rule. 

The new format was awesome!  It only enhanced an already tremendous experience.  Baseball is a very traditional sport, and it would have required some courageous yeses to implement this rule.  I’m glad someone said yes, it prioritized the fans and created memorable experiences.

In life or leadership, anytime we can make something better, the answer is always yes.  Find your yes.