What will be on your YES list?

It’s official. We’ve made it to the last quarter of the year. The last months, weeks, and days are now counting down. Most of us started the year with some version of a list of things we wanted to achieve in 2023. Chances are, we’ve been taken off course on those.

That may be just fine, because life has a way of showing us a better path sometimes.

But it may also be that we let the urgent crowd out the important. Or we’ve fallen into the trap of neglecting our own dreams as we serve the dreams of others. In that case, it may be time to reflect on what we wanted for this year and reignite that focus.

There is a good reason this is the perfect time to do that. There is a sense of urgency created when we’re in countdown mode that triggers a psychological response that is known as the Zeigarnik effect. It’s a phenomenon that suggests that our incomplete tasks or goals stick in our minds until they are accomplished when we see that the time is running down.

It's why deadlines work. The sense of urgency translates into positive energy.

Even if we didn’t start with a list, let’s face it, we all have things we want to do but haven’t done yet. It may have to do with our work, our homes, trying new things, taking a class or any number of things.

What is something that you want to say yes to right now? It may be something that got sidelined this year, or something new you’ve discovered along the way.

No matter when you first knew you wanted something, let’s all find the courage to say yes right now and make it happen.

It may help to create a physical list. It can be in your journal, or just a memo on your phone. But make sure it’s something you can see and easily refer back to. I came up with nine things for my list. Three for each month. I’m excited to make them all happen.

Ready to join me? Make your list and let it be your prompt to let the Zeigarnik effect work its magic.

Ready, set, say YES!