The Art of Saying Yes 说“是”的艺术

Along time an old friend advises me to say no more often so I can concentrate on what matters most. Personally， I’ve used his advice to great advantage. Saying no is an art but so is saying yes. Here’s what I suggest you say YES to.

一位老朋友建议我多说“不”，这样我就能集中精力做最重要的事情。就我个人而言，我完全采纳了他的建议。但说“不”是一门艺术，说“是”也是一门艺术。我建议你对以下事情说“是”。

Say yes to fun.

对乐趣说“是”。

It’s true that too much fun can be frivolous. However， in some cases， it is also easy to get so focused on our work that we forget to enjoy it and have fun. Sometimes you can make the situation fun by the attitude and energy you bring to it.

的确，太多的乐趣会让人觉得无聊。然而，在某些情况下，我们也很容易因过于专注于工作而忘记享受工作的乐趣。有时你可以通过改变自己的态度和投入的精力让情况变得有趣。

Say yes to better relationships.

对更好的关系说“是”。

Anyone can spread himself or herself too thin relationally. If you are continually networking and connecting with new people， you can give too little attention to the relationships you already have. Improving and deepening relationships that matter to you is always something good to say yes to.

任何人都可能在关系上分身乏术。如果你不断地与新朋友建立联系，那么你可能会忽视已有的关系。改善和深化对你来说重要的关系，总是一件值得说“是”的事情。

Say yes to challenges.

对挑战说“是”。

It is easy to think you’re not up to it. Why add any more challenge to your life than you already have？ While there are a few challenges you might have good reason to say no to， say yes to the challenges that stretch and grow you. As for me， I tend to do best when in a challenging situation. Challenge can bring out the best in you.

你很容易认为自己无法胜任。为什么要给你的生活增加比现有更多的挑战呢？虽然你可能有充分的理由拒绝一些挑战，但应该对那些能让你全力以赴并让你成长的挑战说“是”。对我来说，我往往在充满挑战的情况下做得最好。挑战能让你发挥出最好的一面。

Say yes to opportunity.

对机会说“是”。

Put yourself in the place of maximum opportunity. Sometimes opportunity finds you but more often than not， you have to search for it. Belong to groups that challenge and inspire you. Associate with people who are making things happen. And when you do find opportunity， don’t pass it by because of laziness.

将自己置身于获得机会最大的位置。有时机会会自己找上门来，但更多的时候，你必须去寻找它。加入那些有挑战的和能激励你的团体。与那些有执行力的人交往。当你找到机会时，不要因为懒惰而错过它。

Word Bank

frivolous /'frɪvələs/ adj. 无聊的；不严肃的

stretch /stretʃ/ v. 使竭尽所能；使全力以赴

I need a job that will stretch me.

associate /ə'səʊʃieɪt/ v. 交往；联系

I don’t like you associating with those people.