Here are 10 practical examples of how to use Yes!:
- Yes!, I understand why you’re angry about my behavior. I want you to know that while I didn’t consciously intend to upset you, I see now that I did upset you very much. Yes! I will do my best to be more mindful and make a better choice next time before we get to this point.
- Yes! I see how I upset this person, and before I say or do anything else, I will admit that to myself, so that my next speech or action comes from a place of love.
- Yes! even though I don’t want to do this thing, I know that I can. It won’t hurt me, and it’s important to them. I will do it with a Yes!; without complaining at all. I will do it with a genuine smile & a warm heart.
- Yes! I understand that you cannot do this for me right now, and I am completely OK with that. I hope you can understand that I need this done one way or another, and that is why I will move forward without you on this.
- Yes! I understand that you cannot do this for me right now, and I am completely OK with that. I can wait [insert time frame here] for this. Will you consider helping me with this by then?
- Yes! I will do my best to make this happen for you as close to [insert time/date] as possible. (Instead of beginning with an excuse, such as ‘I don’t know’, ‘Maybe’, or ‘This will be difficult’.)
- Yes!, I [did/said] this, and it was wrong of me. (Sometimes, this is all that’s needed, and anything more makes it worse.)
- Yes! even though I don’t want to listen to this right now, you want to tell me, so I will listen as long as I can, without breaking any other commitments or allowing myself to become angry, because it’s important to you.
- Yes!, I will do this today. (Stating when you will do something is important.)
- Yes!, I can do that. (Even if you feel at first like you can’t. Because you probably can.)
- Yes!. (By itself, without any connotation or excuse, it often enough.)
Matt Fried 