There’s a big gap between dreaming of success and actually achieving it.

The bridge that connects these two sides? It’s saying “yes” to the right things.

As the founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast, I’ve learned that our choices matter immensely. The actions we take, the opportunities we grab, and even the risks we’re willing to dive headfirst into can shape our lives in ways we never anticipated.

Saying “yes” to the right things can open doors you didn’t even know existed. It can create opportunities for growth, learning, and ultimately, success.

What are these things you should be saying “yes” to? In this article, I’m going to share 8 key things that have helped me along my own journey towards success.

Stay tuned and get ready to start embracing “yes” in your life. Trust me, it can make all the difference.

1) Embrace uncertainty

Success doesn’t come with a road map. And that’s what makes the journey so thrilling… and terrifying.

Uncertainty can be daunting. It’s human nature to seek out comfort, routine, and predictability. But often, it’s stepping into the unknown that leads us to our greatest achievements.

As a mindfulness practitioner, I’ve learned to sit with uncertainty instead of running from it. Mindfulness teaches us to be present in each moment, even when that moment is filled with doubt or fear.

When we say “yes” to uncertainty, we’re opening ourselves up to new experiences, ideas, and opportunities. We’re embracing the possibility of growth and learning.

When faced with an uncertain situation or decision, remind yourself that this could be a stepping stone to success. Embrace the unknown and trust in your ability to navigate it.

The magic happens outside your comfort zone. Start saying “yes” to uncertainty and see where it takes you.

2) Say “yes” to self-care

In my journey towards mindfulness and understanding Buddhism, I’ve come to realize that self-care is not selfish. It’s essential.

The path to success is not a sprint; it’s more of a marathon. We need to ensure that we’re in the best possible shape – physically, emotionally, and mentally – to keep going.

That’s why saying “yes” to self-care is so important. It’s about taking time out for yourself, doing things that recharge you, and nourishing your mind and body.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist monk and mindfulness advocate, once said, “To meditate means to go home to yourself. Then you know how to take care of the things that are happening inside you, and you know how to take care of the things that happen around you.”

I couldn’t agree more. Self-care is about going home to yourself, understanding your needs, and attending to them. Only then can we be in a position to achieve our goals and live the life we desire.

3) Acceptance is key

Success isn’t always a smooth ride. There will be bumps, detours, and sometimes, dead-ends. And that’s okay.

A vital principle in Buddhism is the acceptance of reality as it is. This doesn’t mean being passive or complacent. It means understanding that life is full of imperfections and hardships.

By saying “yes” to acceptance, we’re acknowledging that not everything is in our control. We can’t always change our circumstances or outcomes, but we can change how we respond to them.

Acceptance allows us to see obstacles not as roadblocks but as opportunities for growth and learning.

It’s raw, it’s honest, and it’s sometimes hard to swallow. But accepting reality — the good and the bad — is a critical step toward success.

So when you’re faced with adversity or setback, don’t resist or deny it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Grow with it.

4) Mindful listening

In our fast-paced world, we often forget the power of simply listening. Not just hearing, but truly listening.

Mindfulness teaches us the value of being present in each moment, and that includes our interactions with others.

By saying “yes” to mindful listening, we’re making a conscious effort to fully engage in conversations, understand different perspectives, and learn from others’ experiences. It’s about showing empathy and respect towards the person speaking, which can go a long way in building strong relationships.

But beyond that, mindful listening can also help us gain insights and ideas that we might have missed otherwise. These insights can be instrumental in our journey towards success.

When you’re in a conversation, try to really listen. Put your phone away, clear your mind of distractions, and focus on what’s being said.

5) Let go of ego

One of the biggest obstacles on our path to success can be our own ego. It can blind us to our own faults, prevent us from learning from our mistakes, and even hinder our relationships with others.

As a mindfulness practitioner and the author of Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I’ve learned that letting go of ego isn’t about denying our self-worth. Rather, it’s about acknowledging that we are not superior or inferior to anyone else.

Saying “yes” to letting go of ego means being open to feedback and criticism. It means recognizing that everyone we meet has something to teach us. And it means understanding that success isn’t a solo journey; it’s a collaborative effort.

Letting go of ego can be challenging, but it’s an essential step towards personal growth and achieving success.

6) Embrace impermanence

Life is a constant flux of change. Nothing remains the same forever. This is a fundamental concept in Buddhism, known as impermanence.

Often, we resist change because it disrupts our comfort zone. But resisting change is like trying to hold back the ocean with a bucket. It’s futile and exhausting.

Saying “yes” to impermanence means acknowledging that change is an inevitable part of life. It’s about being flexible and adaptable, ready to evolve with the changing circumstances.

It’s raw and honest to admit that we can’t control everything. But once we accept this truth, we free ourselves from the stress and anxiety of trying to maintain the status quo.

Embracing impermanence doesn’t mean we become passive observers of our lives. Instead, it empowers us to be active participants, making the best of every situation.

7) Practice gratitude

Success isn’t just about achieving our goals. It’s also about appreciating what we already have.

Practicing gratitude is a simple yet powerful tool. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. And in doing so, it cultivates a sense of contentment and peace.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, the pioneer of mindfulness in the West, once said, “Gratitude is a way of returning to basics, experiencing the fullness of our lives as if for the first time.”

That’s the power of saying “yes” to gratitude. It helps us see the abundance in our lives, rather than fixating on the scarcity.

It’s raw and honest because it requires us to confront our desires and expectations. But it’s also liberating because it frees us from the constant pursuit of more.

8) Say “yes” to saying “no”

Sounds counterintuitive, right? But hear me out.

Mindfulness is all about being present and fully engaged in each moment. But in our fast-paced world, we’re often juggling multiple tasks, responsibilities, and expectations. We’re constantly saying “yes” to everything, stretching ourselves too thin.

This is where the power of saying “no” comes in. By saying “no” to things that aren’t serving us or aligning with our goals, we’re saying “yes” to our priorities and well-being.

It’s about setting boundaries and making mindful choices about where we invest our time and energy.

Start saying “yes” to saying “no”. It might be challenging at first, but the clarity and focus it brings can be a game-changer on your journey to success.

Conclusion

There you have it. Eight things to start saying “yes” to if you want to succeed in life.

Success is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making mindful choices, embracing the unknown, and learning from every experience.

If you found this article helpful and want to dive deeper into the wisdom of Buddhism and mindfulness, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s packed with insights and practical tips on how to navigate life with mindfulness, humility, and purpose.

Success isn’t a secret formula. It’s about saying “yes” to the right things. So start today. Say “yes” to growth, learning, and the endless possibilities that life has to offer.