Early in my career, the best way to learn was by saying “yes” to everything.

I took on anything that seemed interesting. I stretched myself beyond my comfort zone, worked hard to deliver, and built a reputation as someone that others can call when they have a problem.

And I wouldn’t change anything. This approach put me in situations to learn and do more than I possibly could have otherwise.

But over time, I’ve sensed a transition.

Now I need to be more conscious about what I take on. If I simply say “yes” to everything, I’ll be spread to thin and unable to do anything effectively.

So now it’s not about taking on more and more. It’s about the ability to excel at a few very important things, and to maintain the capacity to fully pursue the select game-changing opportunities when they come around.

And to do this, I have to be comfortable saying “no.” I have to be able to turn down many of the shiny new opportunities that might come by so that I can focus on the task at hand and maintain flexibility.

The interesting thing is that I don’t think it’s specific to my career, nor do I think that it’s as simple as switching from “yes” to “no” over time.

Rather, the change is in the default answer transitioning from an obvious “yes” to a default “no” followed by a more thoughtful analysis.

-Brandon