The Magic of Yes and the Power of No (Part One)
As a creative-aholic, I’m absolutely transfixed by the magic of saying yes to a new project. But after years of mining the creative landscape, I’ve learned that there’s just as much power in saying no.
The “Yes” Mindset for Growth
Saying yes can open doors to unexpected opportunities and creative breakthroughs. For example, I hesitated before saying yes to an NFT project, and now I’m in talks with game developers about turning my characters into a mobile game. It’s an ambitious project, full of unknowns. A big part of me wants to run in the opposite direction, but my gut is telling me to embrace the uncertainty. Sometimes, we need to lean into the things we fear the most.
I’ll be sharing more about this project soon, and I know some of you will offer sound advice while others will be in my cheering squad. So yes, I said yes to this gaming, animation, NFT adventure—but let’s not forget about the art of no.
The Art of the “No” – Protecting Creative Energy
So, an offer lands in your lap. You examine it from every angle, but something feels off. Does it align with your creative vision? Your values? If you hesitate, the answer is probably no. Saying no doesn’t just protect your time, it can help you grow personally and creatively. Mastering the art of no is tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it actually strengthens the power of yes.
Yes to Collaboration; No to Compromising Vision
As creatives, we all know that innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Creativity thrives in collaboration. But how do you say yes to new ideas that push the boundaries of your vision without diluting it?
For me, it’s a delicate balance. I’m all for pushing boundaries, but I often find that others want to reel my ideas back into a safe zone. The key is evaluating those boundaries—are they guiding, oppressive, or just plain clueless? These moments will teach you a lot about your collaborators, and help you make tough, necessary decisions. Don’t shy away from the process; it might just broaden, tighten, and clarify your vision in ways you never expected
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Pro-tip: Seek balance.
Yes to Learning and Experimentation, No to Overcommitment
Right now, I’m in a creative shit-storm. I’ve got a book about to launch, a producer flying into NYC to see my immersive play, a film in the hands of a director, and I’m hustling to find gig work just to stay afloat. Why? Because I couldn’t say no? Nope, it’s because sometimes life just happens all at once—and sometimes, nothing happens at all. The trick is balancing it all without losing your mind.
Today, I said no to a play I really wanted to see, a networking event I probably should’ve gone to, my workout (my lifeline!), and, well... my sanity. Am I learning about the power of yes? Absolutely. But sometimes you need to step back and look at your projects through a long lens, so you don’t end up overcommitting without even realizing it.
Boundaries as a Form of Self-Respect
Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked what you saw? Maybe the extra hours at your computer are catching up with you, or the late nights have gotten the best of you. If that’s the case, saying no means you’re actually saying yes—yes to self-respect, self-care, and self-love. These things are mandatory, especially for creatives. Your inner life mirrors your outer life, and if you throw in the towel, you’re done for. Learn when saying no is really saying yes to you.
I could go on, but I’m aware of the power of no. So, we’ll revisit this topic in Part 2.
Now, take a deep breath… and breathe out.
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