Say YES!

So I stumbled across these words:

"Before you can start making decisions about what you don't want, you would be well served to understand what you do want. If you have the big picture of YES mapped out clearly-and are grounded in your own passion and purpose-then it will be far easier to identify what's not a fit for you." 

This quote from a book I am reading, "The Productive Writer" by Sage Cohen, is referencing how to start saying YES to things in your writing life and start saying NO to the things that aren't going to help you achieve your goals. Her words can go well beyond how she used them in context.

Life in general is difficult, and much of our time is spent being indecisive. There are so many approaches we can take to improving the purpose we long for. She is correct in saying our decisions need to be based on what the "bigger picture" holds. Our goals are very important and before we can be certain of what we don't want, we better know with absolute certainty what we do want for ourselves.

People change over time and so do our goals. Sometimes they change direction abruptly, but move forward from that point, change perspective and push on. See yourself at the finish line, that vision alone should drive you.

I am guilty of pushing things away that I don't think I want for myself.  If I had mapped out what I really want, would they have been on the DO want list? Her words stuck with me. I will make the conscience decision to map out my goals and take a little more time understanding what I do want that will keep me grounded in my own passion and purpose.

Sage Cohen is wise in reminding us:
"There is no other person in the world trying to accomplish exactly what you are striving for, in the context of your unique personality, skills, education, training, work, family, and lifestyle mix."