No “yes.” Either “HELL YEAH!” or “no.”

I was saying to someone the other day that I've been having to say "no" more often lately. But, I like the way you are looking at it a WHOLE lot better.

As usual you've given me something to think about, something to motivate me and of course great advice.

Thank you!

HELL YEAH - I like the post! Great perspective, Derek.

completely correct

Wow ! this is so true ... i always believed in this ! coz if you're not hell yeah you will be "hell no" very soon which leads to "do i have to's" and then to Mondays ! :)

This post rocks: although we all have to roll with a little 5-6-7-8; I suppose they can be worked on so they do become HELL YEAH!

I completely agree. The way you approached it is very tangible and energized rather than the typical "yes or no". It makes the commitment itself a more exciting journey.

Awesome! As entrepreneurs we tend to launch ourselves into so many projects in order to create multiple streams of income, and for most us it just bogs down everything and NOTHING flourishes.

Thanks for another insightful and motivating post Derek, it's a great kickstart to trim down the to-do list and focus.

--Donnie C.

Glad you're back Derek... I've missed these... And this one was worth waiting for!

There you are!
I was hoping you'd be interested in this http://thevinylproject.blogspot.com/
It's your inspiration that gave me the impetus.

That's great, I agree 110 %.

Like my friend told me recently,
"Don't major in minor things"

;-Martin

of course, you post this as I'm doing my conference planning for the fall. 8^)

Nothing unusual, Dear Boy. You're just tasting the fruits of 'physical' (and maybe moral)freedom, Stage 2 & 3.
Post-CDBaby, you're no longer a slave to yourself, or recently-acquired habits. You're a Real New Kid now, & your creative is kicking in for the long haul. Stay in touch.
DaddyHem

Thanks Derek,
I needed to hear that. I just discussed with my wife that I gotta clear my plate of everybody else's projects that got dumped on me, so that I can focus on my own babies!!!

Saying no can be the best thing in the world. A rush! The freedom, oh, the joy. Every no opens a world of space for a yes! Couldn't agree more!

Couldn't aggree with you more Derek. I've had this conversation with waffling musicians who spread themselves thin. We need this band to be comprised of individuals whose passion for the music and lifestyle is so intense that it doesn't matter whether we're opening for Heaven & Hell in front of thousands, or headlining in front of 100, same intensity because the root of the pleasure is the same, the love of the music/band. Hell Yeah!

Great post - there are only so many hours in a day, and the more you can feel "hell, yeah!" about the happier and more fulfilled you'll be!

Hi Derek, You're spot on. We do spread ourselves to thinly, and the things we should be giving our "all" to, sometimes don't get enough of our time. I've been reviewing my situation lately, and your commments give me more food for thought.
God bless. Michael J

Well...I suppose if you've got that "it's all about me" attitude...Then, Hell Yeah! Say no all the time. Then, when nobody's calling anymore, You'll have all the time in the world for just you.

Hey Derek. I love your little letters. Keep em coming! I have read the book FROM GOOD TO GREAT. Have you read it? Some of the principles that you speak of are in that book. since I read it....It has helped my singing ministry immensely. The enemy of GREAT is GOOD. Just when I settle for GOOD....I forget about being GREAT and pushing forwards. I have a new crew now in the ministry...these new ones embrace vision and are excited to work toward it. I will soon be changing the site to fit the new transition. I know that most who write to you are not doing gospel music...but I can take MUCH of the concepts mentioned in the book and PRAY for the best and let God do it...And BINGO it happens. The Lord desires us to be prosperous!!! Thank you Patti
Yeah! Good to Great is one of my favorites ever! Good call. — Derek

Great to have you back to stir more idea generation. Your idea of HELL YEAH is one I learned many years ago after lots of stress and anguish. I have always been good at organizing, partitioning, time management and multitasking (before the word multitasking was even used). But still, I often found myself trying to fit the proverbial 10 pounds of manure in a 5 pound bag, so to speak.

Finally I had to learn to just say NO to those things that didn’t really get me charged up and only say YEAH to those things that did. It is tough and many times you may hurt peoples feelings, but there are only so many hours in the day. MAKE THEM COUNT. This is a great and necessary concept. I hope others learn from it.

Talk about synchronicity, I've just been riding that "Hell Yeah" wave for the last month, so I've been wondering what I was doing all this time... Nice to see someone else is surfing the same wave and smiling :)

I need this on a T-shirt. On my fridge. On my screensaver. On my bathroom mirror. At my piano. I need this idea to stay in my brain. I need to stop saying "okay" to things that I don't want to do. Thanks for the reminder. Please remind me again, because I'll probably be tempted to say a stupid yes instead of a hell yes, possibly even this week!

as an australian I understand your popular because your successfull, but as both australia and the us and uk coming up have the go for it, freedom of thought and dragon slaying no fear approach to the world, don't miss the opportunity. example 1, quincy jones too busy and not keeping an open mind perhaps when whitney houston came knocking.
and don't take people on face value. if we all had your attitude then no one would of ever taken a chance on cd baby.
Kevin, what you're talking about is not a cultural difference. It's important to see the first line of the post, above. This is only an approach recommended for people who are saying OK to too many things. Scattered too thin. Being ineffective because they're doing too many things that don't excite them enough, leaving not enough room to dive deeper into the few things that do. — Derek

I've been reading your posts for a long time, Derek, and there were lots of them that made me say "Hmmm ... yes ..."

But this one made me say "HELL YEAH!"

Whether I can actually muster up the guts to implement it is another question.

No is niiiiiice!!!!!!!!! Heaven Yes even nicer ;-p xxx

Hmm. A little self-awareness is healthy for those who are too selfless. Narcissism doesn't strike me as a healthy antidote for anything, really.

I'm guessing, though, that that's what you meant in the first place with 'Hell yeah!' Don't let others distract you...

Another thought - Derek, what about when YOU are "Hell Yeah!" about a project, but the person or persons you're working with are not...and the project lives or dies with THEM. (I'm involved in a project just like this now that excites me to no end, but it can only go as far as they're willing to take it - and I am not sure they want to take it very far.)

I like what Melanie said above: "Your time and energy is just as precious as the next person." I've learned this the hard way that yes, my projects are just as important as the ones I help other folks accomplish.
That's kinda like my first hiring example, above. Then you're not “HELL YEAH” about those people you're working with. Keep searching until you find people who you're thrilled to work with, because they're thrilled about the project. — Derek

Love this one!!!
Thanks for this awesome and needed reminder.
You Rock!
Ermina

9's and 10's you will do well - with focus and energy.
5-8 you can do (and maybe you have to) but will not JUMP to do them.
1-4 you will waste a ton of time pretending to do them... and really just pushing paper around. HIRE someone whose 10 is your 1.

Everybody wins
This is from my friend Michael Thelen in Seattle :)

A set of my three most empowering words: "No thank you"

That's a bold statement, yet so true. I have had bad experiences 'cause I did not have the guts to say no, nor I was so patient to wait until a Hell Yes experience.

Greetings from Romania!

I agree ... I've been laid off 7 years now. It did not help that my former employer spied on me (not paranoia ... its in a court case) and black-listed me via a 2 year non-compete agreement that robbed me of many of my hard-earned certifications. So in my job search I've had to say Hell No to many potential employers ... mainly because they misrepresented the position. However at some point I need to say OK to food on the table and save the house. So what do you say when you have to get up and you say Hell No?

I can see the eyebrows raise when, as they're passing the collection plate in church, I yell out--"HELL YEAH!"

I haven't been proposed enough for work. But any and every offer I've said, 'hell yeah!' to earned me decent money. In my last visit to Amsterdam, I said, 'hell yeah!'. And I've just come back from a shorter than expected stay in Berlin, because while I was there I felt, 'uuhh! hell no!'and fled right back to Paris for a 12 hour drive! Same difference but I speak French!

You don't even know how timely this is for me. I love the stuff you write.

sorry to disagree, but duty must come in somewhere. There are some things that just have to be done by somebody, eg the washing, or changing nappies, or dealing with problems. I suppose the best attitude is to actually enjoy the menial tasks and see that service is a wonderful gift. I think you are limiting your discussion to the non-necessities?
I also force (strongly encourage) my younger children to try things eg foods like eggplant, that they would initially react with nothing like a "Hell-yeah". Unexpected blessing sometimes comes out of situations that don't seem that inviting initially.
Having said all that, I still find the thought provocative and useful. The "Hell-yeah" principle, maybe applies better as we get older???
You're totally right, and I agree with your disagreement. I didn't include the “duty must come in” point of view in this tiny post, because I assume we are already surrounded by a sense of duty. But I'm glad you brought it up here. — Derek

Thank you for a very good article that opened up my eyes to a lot of things!

I like this idea very much, Derek. It's an interesting approach that should lend itself to "accidental success"; however, it would also seem that it might limit you a bit. I've often spread myself thin and played shows all around the country that are not what I'd call amazing. At the same time, there have been more times than not where, "Hmmm, that could be really neat" turns into "that was amazing" simply because of the off chance I'd try something I wouldn't know whether to call hell yes or no.

In the big scheme, I like your idea of prioritizing versus whoring yourself out for everything. We all lose site of the real reason we create sometimes when we wrap up in business. I appreciate the perspective of both that you represent. Thanks again for your insight!

I wonder...Is it safe to say that ignoring the HELL YEAH leads to "jack of all trades, master of none"?

Anyway, this is definitely something I have been struggling with for many years. There are a ton of things that i "like" to do and there are a ton of reasons why I do/did it. For instance, for years I golfed because I "like" to golf and I really like the sense of camaraderie I received by doing it with my good friends that are HELL YEAH about it (golf). BUT, when it comes down to it I am more HELL YEAH about doing something like polishing my songwriting skills or jamming with someone - which is what I am gravitating more towards these days at the expense of time spent with my good HELL YEAH golf friends.

The HELL YEAH golf guys are a little confused and maybe even hurt by my lack of participation in golf lately but they came around. We all don't hang out as much anymore but we have found other ways to connect.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I think relationships play a big role in this decision making process as well.

Oh and ...I am in the middle of reading "Made To Stick" and I congratulate you on coming up with a very sticky phrase...HELL YEAH everybody!

We assume, unaware, that our culture is the best, normal, right. The development of this belief in our own culture is an important part of our ability to function effectively in it.

Causing someone to lose face:

- openly disagreeing with what someone says, especially if senior

- correcting what someone has said, especially if senior

- criticizing someone present

- challenging something someone says

- giving negative feedback

- not being able to answer a question one should know the answer to

- not being prepared in circumstances where you should be

- saying something is not possible

- admitting a mistake

- admitting you don't know

- admitting you're not on schedule, falling behind.

- asking for help or more time

I did all of that in Thailand, in perfect native Thai (as I am half-Thai with an English mind), and I earned a lot of enemies who are rich and in power decision-making positions.

And also I earned a lot of friends in the working under- underpaid class.

MMhh!

Best thing I've read all week. And I read constantly. ")

Derek...One of your best!!
---There's a song in this one!

Great article Derek!!! this is very true :)

That is why we had so much more time when we were 18. Back then if it didn't excite me I didn't do it, leaving me time for the things that DID excite. When we "play" adult we think of all we are "supposed" to do and forget what we want to or "need" to do for our own soul.
At 58 I am acting 18 again and doing what I love!

Goodness, if I look at things like that; I have a lot of junk I want to clear up and very few things I want to immerse myself in!
Great post!

Commitment is hard for most people. I can HONESTLY admit I am on the fence with decision making. Guilt plays into things. As I get older and learn who I am, the practice of learning to say no because you can is absolutely amazing. It does free up not only your time, but your mind. Hell yeah is a great enthusiastic statement and feeling. You have the right to say no and hell yeah. And forget obligations and guilt. 12 work days and a free mind is absolutely in everyone's best interest...

HELL YEAH DEREK!

AND I HAVE BEEN WONDERING WHERE YOU WERE!.. :-)

I read somewhere that it is better to be hot or cold, but most are lukewarm and are spit out. . .or something like that. This method ensures either go for it, or drop it. Saves time and provides the energy to go completely into something. Nice post, Derek!

I was. Never really afraid to say no to people. Honestly and integrity about how you truly feel is important. Somethings are more appealing to say Hell Yeah to than others and you can't please everyone!. Time manage your life and say Hell Yeah to free time :)

I just finished work on a single studio recording. It was Hell Ya for the duration and I am super pleased with the results. Step 2, I wanted to created a music video for it. The video was of time lapsed photography of a lake and a mountain range, of which I had 35,000 images. Ug. I fought and fought the most stubborn internal resistance to go through those thousands and thousands of photos.

Within a few days the video started to became a solid 'No'! I had lost my drive trudging through all those photos, but tried to hold on to the Hell Ya I felt when I came up with the video idea. I knew it would be a great accomplishment and compliment to the song. I persisted and won my war with art.

So, my point is that it's important to note the internal struggle as an artist and not to compromise (or put on hold) your creative ideas should you run into any resistance, internal or otherwise.

Still, thanks for the post Derek. It gives me another tool to guage what I spend my time on.

~jibran

ps. You can watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxugowJRY8s

I use to live in a black and white world, a world where something was either right or wrong and never shades of gray. As I grew older and hopefully a little wiser the "middle" road not taken became more persistent and I finally learned to factor in the gray areas into my decision making process.

Sometimes hell yeah is just what the doctor ordered, sometimes no can be the wrong choice.

Learning to find a balance between the two can be the hardest thing you will ever do but I believe with balance comes true peace of mind.

You make me smile Derek Sivers, you make me think, welcome back!

I am trying to not be miffed by the earlier post of the australian speaking as "an australian" as aren't we all just our individual self???? Goodness. Once again I applaud both your initial post and your follow up to comments. I think I have learned about duty and my own sense of what is the "right" thing to do over the initial seratonin possibility of "hell yeah". :) My thing has become if I still feel a glow AFTER a sit down and a cuppa AFTER I have felt a hell yeah then it could be the real thing....

Thank you for this Derek. This came at a time when I had a very
important decision to make. It was almost what I wanted but I still had reservations so ..... now I refocus once again. debzartonline.com & bluerayhealing.com

Peter, it sounds like you need to say Hell Yeah to doing something you love. The mass of humanity is faced with the same dilema you face. The only escape is seeing through that chaos to what you are passionate about and pursuing it with everything you have.

Best wishes to you in your battle.

Derek,

Awesome post man. I totally hear you on this one. As I begin to network more and more and find more people having an interest in my help, I am sometimes feeling how on earth can I do all of this and keep a regular job. Maybe I need to say bye to the job and begin jumping into the 'Hell Yeahs' that I feel.

Meeting with a friend today to discuss helping with their music marketing and web design...Hell Yeah!

Glad you're in NYC :-) and hope you have a great day today.


-Andrew

Good advice for the few of us that actually have too many social invitations etc. Most North Americans watch way too much TV,or do other mind numbing activity and should be saying yes instead of no to anything that comes their way. I've decided to become a "Yes Man" after watching the movie and have had a lot of fun doing things I never would've bothered with before.

Some good sense here. After two winters of overworkload (the second of which I swore I would not let happen...again), this will be on my mind through the coming months. Similar advice has been coming my way...leave room for the good stuff. What if the good stuff doesn't come? Then you will find or create the good stuff that suits you.

Hi, Derek, Thanks for this great post. The concept works for me, since I am one of those who for years had felt compelled to do as others expected, and to put my dreams on hold. The conflict of that, alone, drained me of energy, until I figured out that no one was going to make me happy in my life choices but me. I took a chance to move to France, during a Hell Yeah moment, to live a life of music, instead of working behind a desk. No regrets, and I'm saying Hell, Yeah, a lot more often. I just started a photo blog on life here, to share the joy, and my music is taking off like a shot. Once you get used to moving on your own strongest desires, life becomes 10 times more interesting. I work harder now, but enjoy every minute of every day. I minimize interactions with the time wasters and losers as soon as I identify them, and now have more interesting people around as well. While I would never shirk real responsibilities, it's not "cruel" anymore to say no to things I don't absolutely want to do. I know this - a happy, self-directed person can do more good than a tired, resentful, and, in the end, angry person. It's great to wake up and start living, no matter when or where.

Thanks Derek! I have learned over the years that "OK" or "why not?" from the head is not nearly as empowering as "HELL HEAH" from the heart. Thanks again!!!

Seriously great advice, Derek. Seriously!

I'm not sure about this one. Most of my "hell yeah!"s have fallen through recently. I threw everything into it and nearly lost my ass. I can see where it applies it some cases, usually when you have several lucrative options on your plate, but in a case where jumping on those has bit you in the ass repeatedly maybe there's a missing piece to the puzzle.

Legend post Derek :)

Cape Town is a brilliant place to live if you get bored of New York... ;)

http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/CapeTownwinsBestWorldCityaward.aspx

So simple yet so true. It looks like many of us simply settle instead of really being satisfied.The middle ground seems to be out and it makes total sense! Thanks for that!
Peter.

Derek,
I love you and admire you and have often sat at the feet of your greatness and absorbed and been inspired by your writings of encouragement and tried and proven ideas. but I must disagree with you here. At least for me personally, things have worked in opposite ways.I can use two major events in my life as an example. One, is when I was estactic about buying Florida real estate. I just had to have it, no one was going to stop me, and it meant more to me than even sex or musical fame at the time. I plunged in head first not only screaming "Hell Yeah!" but throwing a few F#$% Yeah's in as well. Long story short,I have lost my ass on this property. Second example of it working the other way. I was living in Nashville trying to make a go in the music business there. After five years I had had it there with the politics and put my guitar up for a while. My wife informed me of a ad in the paper she saw of an entertainment company that needed kid's entertainers for birthday parties. I hated the idea. I wanted to be a country rock artist, it was all I ever wanted. Reluctanly I went to the training classes as I figured it a better way to earn a buck than to stay at the car wash. My heart was not in it. I remember a defining moment one day, as I sat in the class waiting for everyone else to show up. As always I was the first one there, and thought seriously about just walking out. "I really don't have to do this," I thought. I can just leave. Now is my chance. I sat frozen.I was very unsure of this commitment I was making to performing at kid's parties, as all I ever wanted and the reason I moved to Nashville was to make it big in music. Well, I stayed in my seat, learned the business of entertaining at kid's parties, and twenty years later am still running a very successful family entertainment company in Chicago. I work mainly weekends and have the week off to boat, fish, or just sit on the beach and drink. I also have incorporated my solo acoustic music act into the business, so when people call abut kid shows and also mention wanting adult entertainment, I book myself as well. On top of all this I continue to perform in bars and clubs, and the money I have made as a full time entertainer has financed all three of my albums.
It's the best thing I ever did, fighting that urge to just quit and walk out because I didn't feel "Hell Yeah." I found a way to make a full time living as an entertainer,and working for that company gave me a stepping stone to build my own entertainment company. And now not only do I perform and make real good money at kid's parties every weekend, but also have developed an Elvis act, a standup comedy act, and do singing telegrams, which pays more in ten minutes than singing all night in a bar.
So I hate to disagree with you Derek, as most often you nail it on the head, but in this case I beg to differ. Sometimes our gut instinct is not correct. Not to get too spiritual here, but I really do believe satan does his best to discourage us and unleash his demons on our best laid plan and motivations. Often when we choose a project or great adventure, whether it is recording a album or riding our bike across Australia, he will do all he can to fill our heads with fear and doubt. There are always reasons to NOT try something, and the fear of failure or uncertainty of the new undertaking can cause us to back out because what is fear we will mistake as our heart not being fully into it, or us not feeling "Hell Yeah!"
I think we sometimes have to jump into things despite our feelings, as our feelings can be misguided by apprehension and doubt.
Glad you disagree, Pete! I like your perspective. Thanks for taking the time to write that here. — Derek

Wow, just what I needed to hear this morning. I'm being faced with a lot of big life choices right now, in addition to all of the day-to-day music business decisions. It's not always easy to know what the right move is - this is a great yardstick. I opted out of The Americana Conference because I wasn't excited about spending all of that time and money just to shake hands and party. If there's no chance to play, then where's the benefit? I can shake a million hands, but if they don't hear me, they have no cause to "get on board". Now, Kerrville was different. I wasn't booked, but I was excited to go just to participate in song circles and listen. As a result, I now have a Texas tour lined up!

BTW, this same philosophy could and really should be applied to dating...I'm just sayin' ;-)

Welcome to NYC! It's a great place to live!

you are full of these gems, that when read for the fist time seem so right, so obvious that it feels to me like reading the journal of my future self, sent back in time to give me sound advice. this one in particular speaks to me in a special way. i recognize it as valuable, ingest it, process it and apply it all at once. this post makes me say "hell yeah"

from one (previous) over commiter to another, thanks.

I think that saying no to things is one of the hardest skills we have to learn in business and life. If we add this to only going when the Hell Yeah! feeling is there then you have designed a really simple path to live by. I shall be taking this into my life from now on Hell Yeah!

Agreed with the initial part of the post (don't spread yourself out too thin), a bit surprised at the second part (others disappointed by your canceling? Never mind, you free up 12 days for yourself), and balked at the last part.

Satisfaction 1-10? Self-righteous, egotistical crap. I'd go as far as to agree it's relevant in terms of career, but you say the book says it applies to personal areas of life as well? So, going through a rough spot with your wife? Dump her. Teenage kids making your life hell? Leave them. Tired of your obligations? Just say no.

Some of us deal with the 5, 6, 7 and 8s (and lower) without whining, knowing (as any fool should) that no areas of life are constant, that a lot of the time working on them is more rewarding than simply copping out.

Rant over.
Sorry I think that part was misunderstood, since I only quoted a line from the book, but not the section around it. What he meant by changing the 5,6,7,8s to a 1 was to inspire you to improve those parts of your life, instead of just ignore them. As you say: working on them, instead of copping out. Definitely NOT dumping or leaving. — Derek

For a long time I've was able to say "Hell yeah." most of the time. But over the last few years after a few difficult financial calamities in both my personal life and business life, the need to keep my house has caused me to suck it up and say "Yes, thank you very much..." to many jobs that I previously would have said "No" to without a blink.
So, perspective helps much in all things.
Remember, there is a balance in our lives and part of it will (should) have something to do with service. (To one's family, friends, community, etc...) It's not ALWAYS about how good "I Feel" at any particular moment. Feelings aren't facts anyway.

Very good words - about a month late for me unfortunately. I have comittments now that are like a dango noose around my neck, all because I felt I had to.

Interesting that this also applies to the vocal tracks I'm currently laying down. I guess I've always felt that way about the music I'm doing, but I ought to apply that to business decisions as well. Your wisdom is a great investment of my time. Thank you Derek.

Hell YEAH!
I'm dealing with a similar situation with a project involving people I am not "HELL YEAH" over.

I interpret the feelings of doubt as being the 'cosmos' saying forget about it.
Your method makes perfect sense.

I hate the slogan " Hell Yeah". You could say f'n a or anything but "Hell Yeah". Please stop.

Derek,

Thanks for the words of advice. I am about to walk out the door and meet with my publisher. Now I know just what to say.

Best,
Amanda

Good work Derek, you said it very succinctly in a post where people write a book to get the same point home! :)

Saying no can sometimes be the hardest thing to do..

...yet the most important.

This is a fundamental success principle - saying no to good in order to say yes to great.

I think there's a deeper principle at work underlying your concept. That is checking in with your deeper knowing. For each decision, Derek, you just checked in - what do I feel? And then followed that intuition.

One of the commentators - Gary McCallister - made an interesting point though, around learning a lot from doing stuff that you may not want to do.

I think you have to be aware, when you're checking in, what is the information you're getting back. If it's fear or resistance, there may be learning and growth from doing it anyway. But if it's obligation and guilt, or fear of loss if you DON'T do it - you may want to think again.

I like to go in the direction of fear. If I look at a project and it scares me - I will be much more likely to take it on. That has certainly led me to some interesting places in my life.

But if I look at a project and I say OK - if it makes you happy... Then I will more likely say no.

The bottom line - if you can't be true to your deepest self, you're not really serving anyone anyway.

I kinda like this idea, which leaves me with a bit of a paradox when deciding whether or not to commit to this philosophy.

You know, Derek. I don't know where we all got side-tracked. Kids are NO or HELL YEAH. Animals are. But in our overwhelmed, limp, people-pleasing and sedated trances we've managed to forget a simple thing about our basic natures: an impassioned response to what life throws at us.
Good one, Derek! Glad it became clear to you...as I hope it gets clearer to me

We're a Christian band, so I just GOTTA quote some scripture here... it's the spiritual side of things... from Ecclisiastes 9:10- "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." HELL, YEAH!!!!

Couldn't have come at a better time, Derek. I needed this!

Way to go! Great inspiration, Sivers - clear and concise.

This is what artists do, what intuition is all about; act without thinking, follow the most attractive idea at any time.

Question is: Why do we keep loosing this obvious Way of Life?

S i g v e

Taking on too much benefits no one. I agree with you limits are necessary, although "hell yeah" moments also require some time to sit and be reviewed. Sometimes other details come to light that may change the whole view. I have also known people who have gone into something very enthusiastically, only to back out in the middle when they finally realize they are in shark infested waters. That can also hurt people. I am reminded of the safety cards tucked in the seat backs of airplanes that tell passengers to put on their own oxygen mask first, then help their child or someone else.

Hmmmmm......Very Interesting points made here. Is it Good or Bad to have this mind-set? I suppose a degree of common sense should play a factor in every decision we make, like the obvious, But on a career level, It would also depend if your able to give a "No" over a "HELL YEAH". This whole concept can make you or break you if your not careful with it. In the mean time while your waiting for a "HELL YEAH", you can miss so many opportunities that with you involved, could have turned out to be a "HELL YEAH" for you or someone else. I guess it depends on what side of the spectrum your on. I agree and Disagree.....lol IDK, Just my thoughts. It is something to really think about when choosing your next venture anyways....

I've decided that things in live not planned happen for a reason.
If I don't feel "Hell Yeah" on the inside I take the challenge anyways and give it my best shot.
If I fail at least I tried.

this same method is how i have always evaluated songs as a producer. with some choices, however, it's important to take a little time in evaluating these feelings of hell yes and no, moods, meals, sleep, etc. can affect a lot when you're looking for emotional reaction as derek is suggesting.

That is some of the best advice ever! Hell Yeah! thanks Derek!

Great, now I need to wash my ears out with soap.

Or is it my eyes ?

Ouch !
You should have seen my original version where it was FUCK YEAH! — Derek

Dear Derek:

Thanks for sharing this perspective regarding in or out. It recalls the cliche that there's no way to be half pregnant.

As some of us have gotten older, and certainly as you have become successful in your life to have the opportunity to come up for air, you can look around and pick and choose those things that either light your candle or leave you stone cold. I liken it to either having a terrific bottle of wine or skipping the alchohol all together. There's no reason to poison yourself with substance that is not spiritually rewarding.

And to some of the points I read through, it is possible to say yes to a project or opportunity and have them turn out to be extraordinary experiences.

The converse is also true. Just as it is possible to say "HELL YEAH" to a project and pour years, tears time, talent and treasure to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars into the project and have it fester and wither on the vine due in no part to a lack of effort or enthusiasm on your part. Life is that way sometimes.

But I'm not sure that is what you are talking about. I think you are talking more about volunteer and philanthropic and or perhaps friend focused projects that require massive time and treasure commitments that leave you feeling empty and used.

As I've turned 50, I'm learning that I don't have to jump head first into dark and unknown waters just because it looks like it might be thrilling, that is, if there's not a rock just below the surface of the water.

I also don't think you're saying "hell yeah" without doing your due dilligence, but rather look instead to what David Crockett said: "Be Sure You're Right, Then Go Ahead."

Peace.

Great stuff...!!!

Hell YEAH I like what you wrote... Thank you, it is just what I needed!

Hey Derek,
Thanks for writing this! I have a question (related to this) maybe you could cover in your next post? You mention you went about hiring someone in a totally new way. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT FINDING THE HELL YEAH PERSON? I have been wondering this for a long time. I am so ready to hire someone for a part-time position that has amazing responsibilities but I want it to be a hell yeah for both of us!
Anne

Thank you! Thank you! It seems to be that when ever I am struggling with career decisions and or feel stagnate, there's an article from you that helps me to move forward in the right direction. I just appreciate you so very much. I've felt this way for years.... you rock!!!!

Never be to self rigthous, anything you do for someone else is simply a thing you ought to be doing from your heart because you heart is the seat of motivation! People only need help once or twice, if they are smart about what they want! For instance I sent Derek something bigger than I can do, asking for his help and or input! It was NO! And never was able to revise and make viable! So my site is new but I'm working on it and I will, I will, I will, do the thing that is much larger than I! "Nothing is about self", except for food ,water and shelter! Try that as something new. All Gifts are from the Great Spirit that Create everything and the heavens!

Hi Derek,

I love the idea of what you are saying and it will be interesting to approach more things in my life that way. But let us not forget that some things that we are not so enthusiastic about giving a "Hell Yeah" still need a spot on our scale. Sometimes "No" is an unexceptable answer with consequences. So IMHO, nothing is absolute and a grey scale has it's place. But "Hell Yeah" is a great concept to move toward.

-Dennis

I could not agree more, Derek. And, it is particularly important for those of us (I assume you are one) who has many interests and has a hard to time saying no to people.

TommyH

Derek is in person a very nice guy! But he has made great strides with CDbaby and may other things like MUkwork and other stuff!
Some people don't have to have big dreams anymore win they have realized most of their dreams already! They only have to maintain face and philosophy!
Some one with an open mind and a few minutes to read or re-read a great idea bigger than any 20 man crew email me edivemusicbiz@gmail.com things move slow when you are poor.!!!!!

Thank you, Derek! I just realized how much more energy I will have by just saying "Hell Yeah" to only the projects that really excite me, and having the freedom to say "NO" to those that don't! It is very hard to say "No" when you are a people pleaser and you don't want to let anybody down, but I have learned that I am the one who is really hurt when I say "Yes", even though my heart isn't in it. You always put things in perspective so beautifully! How did you get so smart, so young!!

Your friend forever,
Carole

Boy-this couldn't have come at a better time!!! Thanks so much-I always look forward to and appreciate all that you share! Gina : )

Wonderful! This is so true, I'm going to look into getting that book!

Enjoyed your post as always Derek...but one thing always bothers me about them. You seem to have this boundless energy and enthusiasm. If it weren't for all your successes which demonstrate your ability for prolonged focus and effort, i'd think you were BiPolar. What does one do if they find themselves at a point in Life where nothing generates a "Hell Yeah!" anymore?

Bless Derek you are on point again thanks for reinforcing much raspect
Tony culture

Amazing piece of advice Derek...
It's not as hard as it looks and it is a very simple way to prioritize one's life.

Thanks !

I've found this to be particularly poignant in relationships. If you meet someone, and it's not "hell yeah!" you can bet the farm it's ultimately going to be a disastrous waste of time.

amen to this! thanks for your words of wisdom ;)

Ah I think that should be

HELL YAEH! or NO F'ING WAY!

and I wish more of the people I met during my 10 years in LA knew how to say NO ;)

For Heavens sake you could be a new super hero called "Hell No Boy"!

Hi Derek, It's Michelle.
"Hell Yeah's!" have a heart and soul. It is not fair, no matter how kind you are,to be involved in anything as 'dead weight'. Get out of the way (gracefully, with your image still intact:)so the project can live or die in peace. You can't conjure heart and soul. It is, what it is!But the truth for me is, after all these years, I still struggle with wanting to do more than I possibly squeeze inside my "time in a bottle". Kindest regards to all. Michelle

hi, Derek.
through sometimes painful personal experience, and trial and error/success, i can concur that your post rings true for me. obviously there are the "duties" of life to attend to, but as far as my career in music goes, i have learned to back away from the things that don't really do it for me. often times i would say yes to everything so that i could get "exposure" only to find that just the opposite would happen, i.e. fake "producers" who would promise a lot and not deliver, shows that were totally embarassing and i had dragged a lot of equipment to them, etc. not to say that playing a lot of shows is not good, and also to say that beating myself into the ground for the wrong reasons makes life really stressful. so i've filtered out what i want and what i don't want and continue to refine this, so that my "job" is playtime all the time. thanks for another good post.
Dave

I am ready to do muckwork on the Texas High Plains. Thats Amarillo and the surounding aria. When do we start?

Hey Derek!!
I'm happy for YOU! I agree!! Somethings are created to be made beautiful in their own time. ie: when I make pottery. I can't rush the project. It has it's own process and I have to respect that. It's also nice to smell the flowers...the balance includes you! Getting over-commited takes the joy out of life! Just a few days ago,I went running in my bare feet on a sandy beach with the sunset falling and it was pure bliss!! Now I'm ready to finish my latest music project! Happy for you Derek!!
Rachel

What surprises me is how people I know tell me how much I'm either Hell Yeah or Hell No. I don't feel like I'm that kind of person. I find that people tend to listen to the things I say and take it at a value that I would never place on it.

In my own experience I find that I already do the stuff that interests me and turn stuff down when it doesn't. However, there's been times when a Hell Yeah sneaks up on me after I've done something.

Last weekend was a perfect example. I was out of town visiting my home town for a quick vacation and made plans to meet up with friends. Only one made it out that night. But what a great night we had. Who knows what that sparks in the future.

Thus the Hell Yeah won't always come up front.

BTW - the party was a fantastic time Derek.

i will live by this FOREVER!!! i have tried this in the past but never stuck to it...by the way this idea is a HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great post. Right on to the Hell Yeah and the Hell No! They make life worth living. The balance in both, as in all of life, comes naturally. Those of us who ain't willin' to go through Hell to get there, probably need to chill out and get back to mooin' and tail swishin' with the rest of the herd.

Chairs baby,
BG :-)

life is short. a mediocre yes is a no in disguise. i'm with you brother
biglove to you old friend
s.

+100 Jenny Ruth Yasi

She has the nugget that completes this post, at least for me! :)

I wrote a song about it.
Called "Hell"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1nKOBFuCBU

I like this one thanks for sharing and I'll give it a go.

"Personal Development for Smart People" is an excellent book, I agree. I recommend it to everyone looking to grow.

I like your take on the 5,6,7,8 bit, "HELL YEAH!" smacks of JOY.

Derek,
I completely agree and I've adopted this attitude a while back
It's really made music fun for me again....rather than grinding it out and burning yourself out by doing things that you think you should be doing for the sake of "music"
If it's not fun and exciting, than it ain't worth it!!!

Thanks and keep spreading the good word

Best,
Shane Soldinger

Hell Yeah!

This is a great tool for challenging us to find what we really want. Great share!

The problem with this sort of thinking is when you are not sure whcih way to go. You mentioned "searching a different way" and that indicates you may not have gone that way if you had found who you were looking for the first time. On the other hand, I have entered into situations that I was lukewarm about only to find that I discovered somnething new I wouldn't have known about had I abandoned the idea. Your approach is efficient, but not very creative. I would make that philosphy the exception, rather than the rule. Remember Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken"
"...I took the one not traveled by;
and that has made all the difference."

Hell Yeah Derek!
Awesome, thank you.

I found myself doing it lately, but instead of feeling good, I was feelings terrible. The reason is I thought I was saying NO to important things. And I was afraid not to find anything to replace it later.

The reason I was saying NO, is because of the many YES's I said lately and got over screwed.

Thanks to this post, I can reflect better on my past attitudes and act more consciously towards the usage of my YES' and NO's for the future... awesome!

It feels like 1 Million bucks!

Your post came at a time when I am doing the same thing in my life. I just posted to my blog about streamlining my tasks and spending less time on meaningless things. I also have been saying no a lot more lately as I have found it is empowering. I think the more you say yes to people the more it is expected of you, when you start saying no it puts the power back in your hands.

Thanks for your post it just reinforces what I am trying to do and gives me hope that I am on the right track.

Excellent advice for recovering people- pleasers, Derek. Thanks so much. From my initial connection with CDBaby, I've always been deeply touched by your brilliance, integrity and generous caring. Thanks again for being 'out there'. Elizabeth

Hey Derek...
Congrats! on choosing NY for a residence!! Great choice for you I'm sure.... I live in Dallas and have always wanted to live there..but I had to say, NO to that..and hell yes to the lifestyle that fits both me and my family better.. But good for you.

I equate "Hell Yeah" directly to PASSION!!! I am writing a book, "Get UP..Get OUT..and get Your MOVE ON....living life after 50 with passion, purpose and courage" (naturally, all three talking points refer to all, but after 50, we have more free will and choices) And my first big talking point (chapter) is about living life with PASSION...to say,
in order to live a fulfilled life..we must be PASSIONATE about things we choose to put our time and energy in to. This also includes our jobs! Some of us are really lucky to make aliving at the things we're really passionate about... and sometimes, we have to make a living at less interesting things.. but at some point..when we beging to have more choices... then PASSION is the key to being able to say HELL YES/YEAH!! If we're not passionate about the project (and as we get older, we are able to discern passion from simple idle involvements!!)

So another way to look at our lives and our involvements...
is

PASSION = HELL YEAH!

absence of PASSION = hello no..and run away as fast as you can!

Thanks Derek.. for all you do.

You're a ONE OF A KIND!!

Hey, I've known my true passions for a very long time..music and sports! basketball in particular..
I've been able to combine the two for several years... Have written a theme song for our Granny Globetrotters Basketball halftime show... which we perform at NBA.. WNBA... colleges and universities.. for promotion and recruiting for our senior women's basketball team. We just competed in the 2009 SEnior Olympics in San Francisco!!! I'm also developing a motivational career.. opening my program with a song I wrote, Get UP...Get OUT..and Get your Move on...(same website) and end my presentation with a song I wrote.. Let Freedom Ring. Naturally, I get to show off my gold medals at these presentations.. tell about my passions of getting to restart my music career at 51...and play on a Senior Olympic BAsketball team at 69!!!

So if you'll allow me to add my own take... "if you're not truly PASSIONATE about what you may be contemplating.. then it's NO... If you are....and can put your whole being in to it.. then it's a definite HELL YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

www.basketballandfitnessforseniorwomen.com

www.getupgetoutgetyourmoveon.com

www.kayseamayer.com

U R so right and what a great philosophy. I am adopting it right now.

Hey Derek...

I admire you and certainly aspire to this life filter you're suggesting. So often we (at least I) hardly even consider if we even want to do the stuff that comes up and instead just do it less than halfheartedly and often out of expectation. It's the Hell Yeah stuff though that is ultimately satisfying. I can't tell you how good turning down one clearly disfunctional job felt in this gasping-for-air-economy.
Thanks... Marina

on a deeper level, i hear all of this as saying, "hell yeah" to the love in one's heart. in some cases that might mean going all out for some irresistible attraction and in other cases it might mean foregoing some devastatingly attractive pursuit or reward in order to help someone else. taken that way, my lifelong pursuit of hell yeah means being adamant about taking the time to listen tp and follow my own heart. it also means an equally adamant "hell no" to being rushed, cajoled, intimated or distracted away from that. even in the hard times, hell yeah is where the best music comes from.

Hi Derek,

I think you make some great points. But it mostly applies to people with too much on their plate. If, for instance, someone struggles with low motivation or depression, a mere "yes" is enough to get them out of the house. Some people don't feel "HELL YEAH!" about much and taking this attitude could really limit them. Did you see the movie "Yes Man"? The idea is that if you say yes to (nearly) everything that comes your way, opportunities start presenting themselves. Of course the point is to start feeling "HELL YEAH!" about life.

I like the idea that if something is just "okay" then it's not good enough. But we have to know when we can change things and when we can't. Sometimes all we can change is our attitude.

Hell Yeah to the decision to take time to read what you have to say.

Really thought provoking. Takes a lot of guts to say no. Great discussions. Hell Yeah is a good place. So I like it as a forward thinking lifestyle. Not sure I would have made it retroactive though.

... great reminder to periodically re-focus and re-think priorities... Thanks Derek!

Absolutely superb words of wisdom. But sometimes we have to pay the bills . . .

HEAVENS YES!

Hell Yeah Derek! Try this out - squeeze fists above shoulders and throw open hands down to the earth like lightening is flying out of your finger tips and scream out NO as loud as you can and repeat at least 3 times. Then scoop up some earth energy and throw your hands up to the sky with bliss and yell YES and repeat at least 3 times . . . feeeeeeel it and on your last Yesssssssss, hold the "s" and vibrate your body! Isn't it amazing! When our body can clearly say this with fun, we can do it in life's situations. This is what alivEmotion teaches too . . . it really works! And Hell YEAH to NYC! woooo hooooo!!

I agree that there's no better feeling in the world than the "Hell, yeah!" attitude. In general, it's a great rule to live by, and I thank you for the insight.

However, there are also times we need to push ourselves a bit, when things are getting in the way of that "Hell, yeah" response.

For example, I often have to nudge myself along to write in my journal every morning. A lot of times, I'd rather just lazily watch TV with my morning joe. But if I can make the effort to open the journal and pick up a pen, I am SO rewarded after writing an entry. It sets such a tone of clarity and purpose for the day.

I also have to sometimes push myself to ride my bike, or go out in bad weather to get to my art studio, or any number of other things that feel great to actually do once I start them.

I suppose the question shouldn't be, "do I want to ride my bike now?" but rather, "do you want to feel energetic and in shape?" The answer to that is "Hell, yeah!"

In terms of my art, the question shouldn't be, "do you want to paint today?" but rather, "do you want to participate in the city's artists studio tour this fall?" The answer to that is "Hell, yeah!"

Maybe it's the bigger questions of life we should have the "hell, yeah" response to. If we can say that, THEN we say, "then get off your butt and DO IT!"

Oh, and welcome to NYC Derek! Excellent choice, IMHO. :)

Your idea is a great one here! Also, when it comes to dealing with people I have learned a way to help myself not feel pressure by merely saying to the other party: " This sounds good, etc , however at this time I am unsure about making the /a commitment" This way, it is not letting anyone down and gives you time to think about things with a clear head-

Fuck Yeah is more like it! Have you seen www.thefuckitway.com by John Parkin in London? He wrote a book called Fuck It, The Ultimate Spiritual Way and in situations that don't feel good, he claims to say "fuck it". He also had a workshop called Rock 'n Roll spirituality that was fun.

i just plain can't commit to anything---always been that way for(a lot)way too many years. reason being i have said Hell Yeah only to be let down or having to deal with idiots.pessimism is good because if hell yea doesn't happen, your not let down. if hell yeah does happen, it's a bonus. i believe your hell yea strategy is purely motivational. i'm motivated by my own pace. so hell yea is different for me---and most of us. but hey Derek, ya (you) gotta throw it out there to see if ya can get a winning touchdown sometimes. it's all good....

Hell Yeah to this post! Seriously though, thanks for your blog posts as I always find them insightful or interesting. My energy/time is the most valuable asset... so why compromise or sell myself short?

Derek, thanks for this! :) nothing like making your life decisions a "forced choice" :P so ... are we going to see MuckWork soon? Hell Yeah! :)

Yes, being an independent musician, it IS really hard to balance it all... all the social networking, rehearsals, building the band & keeping the peace & moving forward, writing songs, booking, playing shows, promotions/press/radio interviews & other opportunities like all the SonicBids e-mails, shopping for recording studios, other networking, I even started blogging about everything I do so that people can read it and understand how tough it can be and how it's so important to support those indie artists who you love. I finally started realizing earlier this year how important it is to choose & prioritize, yet I still struggle with HOW to make those decisions; what to make a priority and what to say NO to. This is some GREAT advice, Derek! Thanks!

Blogging Til I Win a Grammy: http://www.anniebmusic.blogspot.com/

Interesting concept. Satisfaction is indeed non-linear.

Check out Seth Godin's "The Dip" which amps this notion by saying don't spin your wheels to get out of the inevitable dip you experience in any journey. Make sure you know that what's on the other is worth it. If not, turn around. Do not go back to go, do not collect $200. Go find $2M somewhere else. Because of your passion, you will really "know" it's there....Being dispassionate feeds mediocrity and average performance. That doesn't mean that the muckwork won't get done. It means that you do it for a purpose (maybe you want to keep your wife happy, Bob...) that is linked to the nirvana on the other side, a ideal-state you've now got time to do well since you've now quit many other distractions.

Sounds like your talking about intuitive living. When you want to say "no" but you don't know why, or when you are thrilled as hell to say "yes" that is intuition. And the more you practice following your own intuition, the better life feels, and visca versa. The more you listen, the more you learn.

Not only a great blog, Derek, but so many good, thought-provoking posts afterwards!

For the people who talked about "duty" vs narcissitic feelings and desires, whenever you've rated something lower than 9, you have to ask yourself whether you could live with the results of not doing the lower numbers. For instance, doing housework is fairly low on my enjoyment scale, but would I enjoy my life if I didn't do it? Am I willing (or able) to spend the money to hire it done?
Ultimately, if you have to do a job, do it with gusto, or at least competence. You get it done ever so much more quickly than if you keep procrastinating.
But do figure out when "good" really is "good enough," because in some instances "perfect" can truly be the enemy of "good enough." I don't care about keeping my house in perfect order, but the records I've helped my husband create truly have to be as good as we can possibly make them, as does any project that shows my work to the world.
I hope you truly accomplish something good and tangible with the time you freed up by saying no to all three music conferences, Derek. Making adequate use of free time is sometimes the hardest task of all.

I am so glad so many people got to read this. And thanks Derek for sharing this. Great reminder.

Derek,

Great post, but WHEN WILL MUCKWORK LAUNCH? I clicked through to check it out and said, "HELL YEAH!" when I saw what it was about, then burst into tears (not really, but you know what I mean) when I tried to learn more. Do tell!

Jeff

Thank you yet again for some great inspiring words!

There are so many projects competing for our time. We cannot afford to waste time on projects that do not caputre our imagination!
Thanks, Derek!

Awesome reminder. Thanks Derek!

YES YES YES. Recently i cant do anything unless I do it ALL THE WAY. I have so many friends that compromise in every aspect of their life, and they cant figure out why they're not happy. That or they think its normal for life to be mediocre. Either way, its a lack of fulfillment. Fortune favors the brave, and it takes guts to do what Derek is saying

--Neil

Wow....that gives my name one more meaning...it is no whenever it isn't quite yes,
Oya

As I see it, the problem with livings one's life this way is that the "Hell Yeah" decision depends on an emotional response. Maybe I am used to approaching everything with caution, using my emotional response as an indicator for enthusiasm. If I had spent my life using this as a guideline I'd be much less of an engineer today. Many projects, dare I say every project has taught me something wether I was Hell yeah or not. What are the Hell Yeah Criteria? Money? If I'm broke Hell Yeah becomes $$ which is not the same as working with a songwriter for free to make a great track which could also be Hell Yeah. Maybe both projects started off with a whimper but went out with a Hell Yeah, or visa versa. Responsible decisions sometimes involve complex planning ahead. To leave them all up to emotional triggers would be a difficult thing for me to trust and I've learned that people who rely on emotional decision making are often unreliable...

I do love this Derek.
Thanks for keeping us posted. It's lovely to see the inspiration you bring to so many!!!
I go by the channeler Abraham-Hicks expression (one of thm) which is If it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no!
It's so neat to see that you both think alike!!!
You would probably enjoy their books and cds etc.
It feels good having boundaries, and it does make it easier to enjoy stuff.

xoxo

I say "Hell Yeah" to Muckwork. I'm it's biggest supporter!

Derek,

In my lifetime I have learned many things some good and some bad.But,for all that I have learned I have learned something from everything.Time waits for no one it has become such a global commodity that it oftens drives us verses us driving it.We often forget the important things in life and forget to live life itself.We often have to stop an Pre·valuate ourselves and figure out what is the right thing for us and what is not.I have been where you have and know that there is often a little voice in the back of our heads that makes us sit and think if what we decided to do was the right thing or not.But,I truly believe in my heart that all things have a funny way of working themselves out and this is despite of our efforts to change destiny.We have to look ourside of the box before we look in and sometimes with our gut feelings we get lucky and we end up doing the right things.So hell yeah is the attitute you should always have in everything you do or you just simply do nothing at all,and let someone else take the glory.
www.RhythmQwest.com

I always think though, theres always someone worse off than me, and to settle with being grateful and accepting my life the way it is, to change it might not be so good, because its always hard to get your life back, and wouldn`t want to turn into a pillar of salt as the old saying goes. If it feels right then it is right, if it feels wrong then it is wrong, then hell yes, you should change it.

Amen! Last year, this concept took me OUT of the music "business" altogether.
It took 30 paid years on stage to realize I was actually not "HELL YEAH" on live performance at all, in fact i f*cking hated it. So I quit. I'm retraining for a day gig more suitable for shy smart kids with accurate "big ears" that I am very "HELL YEAH" about. My music goes back to the recording studio; on my time, on my terms, when I'm feeling HELL YEAH!

I so grok your thoughts. Thanks for articulating some great Truths.
Yes! Great example. I hit that same point with live performing, right when I started CD Baby! I had been touring for 12 years, then started this little website as a hobby. Realized I was WAY more excited about staying home to learn programming and help people than I was by doing another gig. — Derek

I've been needing to make a geographical move for the past few years but have been putting it off. Finally my husband and I just realized, What are we waiting for? So we're doing it--this January, we are moving to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where we feel more at home than here in the States.
HELL YEAH!!! Love your philosophy.

Lauren

I think holding on to the mid-ranking "yes" phenomenon comes from fear. With so many wacky things hitting big in the 'viral' world, getting a marginly good or feasible idea, and letting yourself 'let it go' is a scary prospect. What if that was the crazy thing that would have been huge? What if someone else takes it and runs with it, and gets 'my success'?!

That's where you realize that great ideas are abundant, and those mediocre, fleeting thoughts just take up space, and serve to be, as Steven Pressfield so eloquently described in The War of Art, "Resistance".

Great read, Derek. I gotta go say no to a few things now.

HELL YEAH!! I love this Derek!! Thanks, once again, for inspiration and motivation.

THIS IS JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO READ!

thanks Derek!

HELL YEAH!

Derek Sivers putting this up for me to read. I decided it was a "Hell Yeah." It was worth the minutes spent reading it. Thanks,

This is what I needed to hear today. I keep finding myself feeling indifferent about the many duties, functions, roles, and projects that I am involved in on a daily basis. I say "no" a lot ... but I'm gonna think twice and confirm my heart is pumping before the next time I answer HELL YEAH!

Peace,
Shelly

YES YES and HELL YES! Thank you for sending this, Derek. As always, a lot of wisdom.. and boy, do we need it!

New York makes a lot of sense for you. I am sure you will enjoy it.
I am using your "Hell Yeah" or No mantra. I think I always have but the battle is when the "Hell Yeah" turns in to drudgery.

You are so right I've been saying yes to so many things that just make my life worse.

HELL NO! I have to say I disagree with this bigtime. Perhaps you roll in a different world from me, where you have no community tied to you, no family that needs your presence or support (whether you want to be there or not!).

I would not for one second abandon those onerous duties with which real people fulfill their social obligations...visiting sick friends in hospital when I HATE hospitals, playing that charity festival that I know will probably be a bust but will be so much appreciated.

You have worked tirelessly for all of us, Derek, and you have richly earned your present circumstance. I admire you a great deal, but if you go with this philosophy full force in all regards, I fear a lot of very rich experiences are just going to pass you by.
hi Jim - I agree with you. See comment #56, above. I was excluding duties from this small point. — Derek

You just gave me a whole new way to look at my priorities. Brilliant!

Hi Derek,
Join the club! Wonderful to hear from you again.I guessed you wanted completely new gear in your life. Bang! Up you get and off to New York! Just like that! You have been helping everybody but number one. Hope you get happiness and all the stuff that really matters. I have a mate called Mike He was running a radio station in Austin Texas.
He just up and went to NC where he has found his thing. He suffers from autism like my son Mark (ii).
Originally from 'Frisco, he has crossed your big joint just like that. I don't know where he got the strength, not being well & all.
I have spent 50 years playing jazz because that is what I do. All the other stuff is incidental. All pf a sudden I realise I am old. So what! I am still the same old me.
Miss you, my best wishes go to you.
This is my latest offering. We will see if it succeeds. cdbaby.com/cd/markwhitty.
Cheers Mate, Bon Chance.(K.I.T.)
A lot of people think a lot of you.
Mark The Mad Muso of OZ.

that's a great perspective. i'll try it out.

I am at the point that I say no to things I do not want to do. My problem is that I want to say Hell, Yeah! to more things than I can fit into my one life.

Figuring out how to say no to things I want to do, is a much bigger hurdle to learn than saying no to obvious "no's."

Thanks for the column, I always enjoy your outlook.

Well here, I am not sure I agree again because I don't say Hell Yeah to vegetables or excercize sometimes but they may just be what I need.

Sometimes someone who you want to help you looks terrible and they may turn out to be your best choice

I don't think I am as confident as you on deciding things neither.

I think I prefer to pray and ask God and also ask a friend or two to see what they think before I just say no.

But if it looks expensive or if you got to go way out of your way maybe you are right that's a no but you never know ?

What may seem like a real bad idea might be the best solution.

I like the post. For me, it's 'Heck ya!', I guess, but it means the same. Heck yes, I'm gonna record that new album I've been meaning too!

IMHO, that's a bit extreme.

It's like, hey, you gotta have your favorite dish every day or nothing... eventually, you will become numb to this satisfaction and will begin to feel hollow.

Maybe, in some aspects, you could apply this... but not in every way; I wouldn't take it as a living rule.

I'm sure there's plenty of things you still don't appreciate in those 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s... Besides, you will, eventually, change your appreciation of things...

Humans never appreciate what we have, but we overvalue what we don't.

Had a similar experience lately, dithering about using an unseasoned bass player or calling my friend Robert, who's been playing my stuff for thirty years. Then it came to me that if I had any doubts about anything, then I already had an answer and that answer was "no". So I called Robert, who will cost more and who has to come a long way but I'm feeling completely HELL, YEAH! about doing the gig. So thanks for the affirmation.
Red

Hell Yeah, Derek!!!!

Neil Diamond's 2008 release comes to mind here as well. Selected lyrics below...

Thanks.

I needed this today!

- Marv Machura



"If you're asking me to tell
Is it worth what I paid?

You're gonna hear me say
Hell yeah it is

And I say it loud
I loved it all
And I'm not too proud
I freed my soul
Just let it fly

Hell yeah this crazy life around me
It confuses and confounds me
But its all the life I've got
Until I die

Hell yeah it is

If you're asking for my time
Isn't much left to give you
Been around a good long while
So I gotta say it fast

Time is all we'll ever need
But its gotta have a meaning
Be careful how it's spent
Because it isn't gonna last

I hear you wonderin' out loud
Are you ever gonna make it
Will you ever work it out?
Will you ever take a chance?
Just believe you can
Hell yeah you will"

Neil Diamond.

Sorry if someone mentioned this before, but have you seen "Yes Man"?
Yeah. Good movie. — Derek

Well Derek, you have stirred up a
firestorm with this one of HELL YES: I HAVE A FEW POINTS TO MAKE.
While I have not read all of the above comments,(it would take a week), I have seen typical problems
in life appear. This gave me cause to pause and write some words. I saw people trapped in relationships; people going through
mid life crises; people wanting to follow a positive direction but had to keep working to pay bills; others who are lost in a morass with seemingly no way out; passion without direction; passion with lack of understanding of how to apply it; etc.

I offer some recommendations:
1) Be true to yourself
2) Follow your passion for success
3) Do not allow relationships to defer your passion ( I did this early in life).
4) Learn your limits of pressure.
5) Read: "Men Are From Mars, Women
Are From Venus" by John Gray,Ph.D.
as it clarifies what may have been missing in your life educationally as well as emotionally with people.
5) Learn how to lower & avoid stress. Practice this daily.
I am a retired Psychiatrist,and I have learned a lot. My passion for
music was put on hold until I developed a midlife crises. Once on my own, I have written about 300 songs. I have 5 CDs and one "Single" on CD Bababy now that I have time for my passion. Composing music requires aloneness
for space and thinking and writing.
Distractions interfere with creativity.

Derek, you have enough material to write another book on several subjects from this forum. Keep up the good work.

If I said no to everything that I didn't feel excited about, I would literally never do anything.

That said, I DO say no to almost everything, and while I may have a lot of free time, I'm not very excited about it.

The modus operandi of the deteriorating music industry is an ongoing 21st century tragedy predicated upon brain-dead shibboleths and whorish compromises in the service of the lowest common denominator. It is a rigid venal oligopolistic structure that rarely endorses or supports those in search of "hell, yeah!" moments.

It's a nice fantasy but unless radical changes occur within the music biz...unless this oligopoly of mediocrity is busted apart such that it can no longer exert extraordinary power and influence within the Big Media to suppress or ostracize those voices challenging its mercenary goals, then the "hell, yeah" types will be forever exulting loudly within a vacuum, and their audience will be limited to a peripheral element, deemed by the music Establishment to be no more than an inconsequential lunatic fringe.

Thanks again, for another great posting. Always enjoy hearing your perspective...

I had a "Hell yeah vs. Heck NO" situation come up this spring, when a close friend (another teacher, but not a music teacher, as I am) approached me with the wonderful opportunity to travel and teach in Korea, all expenses paid. (Sounds GREAT, RIGHT?!)

"On paper," yes, it DID sound awesome, and other friends were also encouraging me to go. But when I started to realize all the precious TIME I would have been giving up...time to stay around town, hang out w/the dogs, sleep in (in my own bed!), go on bike rides at home, take road trips to the ocean... and (oh yeah!) MOST importantly to FINISH my second cd project (finally!), I had to say a resounding "NO THANK YOU." As it turned out, my friend was on Facebook almost every day (while in Korea), and seemed to be more than a little bit homesick.

I guess my message would be this...Even if the scenario might be a "Hell yeah" for most people, it might very well be a "NO THANKS" for YOU! Listen to your little voice, and if it doesn't scream "HELL YEAH!," then don't try to talk someone else out of THEIR "hell yeah fun," but rather simply say "no" politely and be glad that you know who you are and what works for YOU!

Thanks again, Derek.
Take good care,
~Suzanne S.
Seattle, WA

I find myself lately dealing with a&r folk's that critique music with the idea of the critique function is there JOB. And one needs a Job,would you say. Do they really known what the client want's. Are do they just think they do? YES?NO?

This is something that we need to learn, and then remind ourselves of it constantly. Learning to say
"No" is one of the most difficult things to do, especially for musicians and for those who are self-employed. That is because we do not want to miss an opportunity or lose a potential relationship. However, as you pointed out, one simply has to prioritize, and the easiest way to do that is the "Hell yes!" or "No" method.

Good article...

" Now Everybody Sing" ! At the end of all our chit and chatter. The only thing that matter's is Hell Yeah, Hell yeah.

I retired from teaching in 2006. Since that time, I have been working at living by this little code you have presented. It works, and I think it is great you have shared it with us! Thanks, Derek!

Great advice...unfortunately sometimes we are obligated to do things that are not HELL YEAH...like earning a living, exercising, eating green things and cleaning the house. There's also the little matter of when I know God wants me to do something...like taking that woman to the grocery store every Sunday when I'd rather just go straight home from church...that I can't really say NO to. But for all those other activities that creep in...I'm with you Derek!
Hell Yeah!

hell yea!!!

awesome derek.

yep, you're totally smack on (again) - the very enemy of the 'almost great' among us - and the same thing that burns out many would-be contenders...

relevant analogies and metaphors abound...

good to hear from you
I've been busy too.
you have some good ideals
I think if we both work together we can come with some better ones like this networking,is a big part of it iam still working on my album
and trying to get it ready to send out.
its geting there.
you can still E-mail me wile iam working on my album you mite think if something i dont.ok see you.

Thank's Derek, I Think this is about stopping and getting in touch with how we feel about any given situation. An example is my band 'threedrive'... If i don't feel the HELL YEAH,about the music, then I just think something needs to be worked on.

Hell Yeah! I agree completely. It often takes some experience and a road long traveled to come to this wisdom and level of clarity around purpose and priorities. Thanks again for sharing Derek!

Cheers!

*Valarien*

Solomon pretty much summed it up when he said to enjoy what you're doing while you're doing it. Passion not only connects to purpose, it defines it. Again, paraphrasing Solomon, Wisdom is not about knowing more; it's about knowing more about what you know. You have clearly found that -- "Hell, Yes" expresses both the passion and the knowing. By the way, you might want to check out Bernard Haisch's "The God Theory" - the cosmos less as one grand, intricate machine and more as one grand, conscious thought.

BRILLIANT...as usual. Thanks Derek.

how do you feel physically? don't let 'not feeling all that hot' at present and the accompanying shortage of enthusiasm confuse you. an amorphous, poorly-defined sense of well-being at any given moment definitely will.

I absolutely LOVE what you said, "HELL YES"! The wisdom of your words went straight to my heart. I now am able to add another pearl from your abundant wisdom. Your words helped me clean the floor a little bit more....

this reminds me of the book "First Things First" in which Stephen Covey states that the enemy of the best is often the good.

great post. everyone in Austin should read and heed it.

Hi Derek
I totally agree with the concept of Hell YEAH! and have been doing it a bit myself lately. Great!!! It makes life a hell of a lot more fun and interesting

I think that this is a great philosophy! I spend so much time on stuff I really would rather not do. I think I am going to say more no's so I'll have room for the "hell yes" answer.

Hell Yea you have allot of people up your butt, get busy on muck work, quit bein so lazy,
I know f,u , Fred, You think I got where I am today bein a nice guy.

Thanks for sharing Derek! Inspiring words as always. I try to live that way as much as possible. Would you have an advice for when your "Hell Yeah" isn't in the best interest of wonderful 9 year old?

This rings so loud and clear, that I feel I’m in a bell tower .Sometimes the most needed answers are the most obvious. It's simple genius, thanks k.w.

Good to see you blogging again. I liked the post and the idea appeals to me, but I got a lot out of the feedback from the folks who disagreed with you especially the guy who got into doing kids' music when he didn't want to. That guy gave me some ideas. Also, glad to hear you dumped the music conferences for 12 free days to do something cooler like MUCKWORK. Muckwork is a truely great idea that I think could help a lotta people. For that matter, just taking a few days off to enjoy your life ain't a bad plan either- recharge the batteries, bro. There'll be other music business conferences. Peace in our time.

But what about the little things? Like, this guy wants me to do a guitar lead on his song. OK, it's an alright song, but I'm not all HELL YEAH! about it. I'll do it anyway. Confession: It's my song, I'm the guy who wants somebody to do the lead. Geez, I hope he isn't reading this. Wink.

I'm looking for reasons to doubt your "hell-yeah or no" tactic, but, then I wonder if I'm doing that because I'm afraid to say "no" more often or if I'm afraid to admit what makes me say, "hell yeah." Derek, I'm going to have fun trying this idea on. Maybe I'll apply it to my songwriting too. Thanks for challenging us to change for the better and to live life with more gusto. Btw. I just got home from Riis Beach, which was a big "hell yeah." You're living in a great place, NYC, and there are so many adventures nearby.

I started saying "no" much more often about seven years ago. It's amazing how much time it frees up when you're not running everyone else's errands for them. I still need to practice the "hell yeah!" concept, which will take it one step further. (How do I turn taking care of my 86-year-old mother into a "hell, yeah"??)

It was 'HELL YEAH' for me when I came to visit you at the Troubadour
recently. The trip was a long one but it was now or never and I had to grab the chance to see you and fellow musicians at this famous London Venue. I got back up North at aound 2am after doing a bit of busking. I've just finished a couple of new recordings one called 'Radicalised' as a result of my visit and sometimes it's necessary to do the Important things in life and say no now and again. It was great to see you and you look happy with your life. Thanks for the invite, I wrote a short story about the day so I have another good memory in my life.
Keep smiling, Dennis Derby

Right on!!
love and peace~

I'm glad you're back, Derek. I love having my thoughts provoked.

I'm going to keep your "Hell Yeah" philosophy in mind because I tend to be one of those overcommitted people (as most of us teachers are).

Thanks for that, Derek! Great synchronistic piece of advice.

Dear Derek, I'm glad you said "hell yeah" to New York City! I hope everything goes well for you there. Welcome back to the area. K. Osgood

'No' has increasingly become one of my favorites. 'Hell, Yeah,' has served me both well and, occasionally in a foul manner. I'm all for always putting all of one's eggs in one basket. If you don't have the courage to do this, then what kinda man/woman are you?

I first met that idea as this:

"The space in your life for what you want is already filled with what you settled for."

That's all - no "should"s or "shouldn't"s to follow. You just choose: fill the space with what's there now, or empty it and try for what you want. No guarantees. And you can make an adventure of it either way.

Well Derek, it's tough to come up with an original response following nearly 300 thoughtful posts, but I know that I am motivated by choice, and those choices are based on what is most important to me. The "little" things will consume you and keep you from the "big" ones, as you said. This is truly a principle to live by.

Absolutely agree

My sentiments exactly. I was an Olympic hopefull and there is only one way to approach that goal...all out! I feel the same about music and I will never give up. You have got to say hell yeh! and then go out and put that declaration into action.

Pavlina is a great writer, and I guess HELL YEAH is a fair interpretation of that chapter.

Still, he writes, "Passion starts the race, self-discipline crosses the finish line".

In essence, the HELL YEAH attitude is to distill your tasks to those which mean the most to you and others. What you do after that may or may not be a different story, depending on the time frame and nature of the task.

Still, Pavlina mentions that any task which takes more than 1 minute to decide upon is left to too much uncertainty. So...HELL YEAH it is!

The quintessentail part of Hell yeah is fidning the S P A C E to be,just to be, whether meditating, crating, asking yourself questions,but giving yourself the gift of time to reflect enough on who you are to be comfortable ...and then excited-the great majority of the time!

HELL YEAH!! I hear you loud and clear. That "middle of the road yes" response is exactly what keeps us away from the real dream that defines what our art is really about. The toughest part is having faith in knowing that something else FANTASTIC will come along BECAUSE you said "no". Preach the truth my brother.

gwen laster

"No" is one of the most wonderful and under-rated words in the English language. We need to learn to use it more.

Most of the conflicts we see in modern drama - the stuff that makes us cringe - is when we see people in situations that they don't normally want to be in, where their boundaries are being transgressed.

We write books and screen plays about it, we laugh about it, we gape at the stupiduty of people on TV who get themselves into awful situations, but we still do it oursevles :)

If only more people knew how to say "No" more often, there would be less of these cringe-worthy boundary transgressions.

Derek, thanks for highlighting something that is so important to so many people.

Great advice as usual. Ever had a HELL YEAH that took work to recognize? A great book called "The Passion Test" gives a great technique to identify your top 5 passions in life and advises using those to shape life decisions. Its great for people who find themselves saying HELL YEAH to things that later cause problems (e.g. infringe on time with family friends, travel or whatever your top passions are) or say NO only to realize later that they should have said HELL YEAH!

wow, great great post,

I've been realizing that saying "No" is really saying "Yes" to something else.

but by taking it the next step and saying "Hell Yeah" adds an important quality of enthusiasm toward your actions that will make
what you do more joyful.

Hell yeah, I'll try this idea.

Thanks Derick :)

Great advice. Thanks for that clarity. I say yes to too many things and end up spreading my energies too thin for the most important stuff. I will use this insight. Thanks Derek.

Wow! well you've obviously hit a note with all of us.. either way - if people have agreed or disagreed people have felt the need to write in response! I think it's a great concept and totally get what you mean, I've really enjoyed reading all of the other posts too, commitment to your passion, your joy, imagine if the whole world did what made them feel great!! what got them going.. thanks for getting the ball rolling mr! I'd like to add.. that I've been feeling crap lately for various reasons and then had two good news things come through last night.. reminding me that 'this too will pass' and to keep focussed on the good stuff that is coming, and be grateful for the good already that's here right in front of me.. but I really love the committment of your hell yeah or no.. its a brave approach and I really want to try it!!! yeah.. hell yeah.. ahah x p

Inspirational article - how often do we settle for less than we can have? This makes me think of my friend, Josh - a singer/songwriter who's doing what he adores (something that comes across clearly in his shows, when he veritably bounces around the stage during his livelier songs - and his tunes. The lyrics to one tune bring that to full focus, when he says "I'm singing for the love of it - have mercy on the man who sings to be adored" - his version of "Hell, yeah!".

Other friends who have a small string band (Tripping Lily) just opened a ukelele shop on Cape Cod. A blogger named Beth Dunn wrote a great piece about the shop -(http://www.bethdunn.org/2009/08/18/be-the-community-you-wish-existed/)

How powerful our world would be if we all honored our deepest passions - and responded to those opportunities that made us say "Hell Yeah!"! At the same time, we can't be scared off unfamilar opportunities - fearful of responding until that "Hell Yeah!" feeling finds our hearts. We need to seek it out.

Oh! I'm just so excited reading back through everyone's ideas.. I have to write more..lol.. I really like what some people are saying about creating the space and being ok with that... 'nature abhors a vaccuum' .. is how I've come across that idea.. and I have experieced it working.. if you let go of something that is no longer satisfying you or creating joy or learning with you, like a job, or a house, or ..whatever... which can be very hard to let go of and TRUST that more good will come your way.. I have seen great things come through having space for it to come.. hence where the 'no' comes into it.. I like it.. thanks again derek, awesome topic/conversation/thread!!! thanks

You could not have said it better Derek! Hell Yea!

Big Ran

A wise elderly person once said to me,"Good,better,best,never let it rest,'till your good is gooder and your better best."

HELL YEAH,to Derek Sivers. He just keeps marching on with right on's.

You are a universal hero, Derek Sivers.

Thank you,
Sharon{from the band Generation Gap?}

"Hell yeah!" I must work on being more "Hell yeah!" about paying my rent.... But I am definitely buying that book. Thanks for the reference! Thought-provoking blog!

Hell yeah to everyhthing you said except the part about cancelling prior engagements.

Your word is your bond! HELL YEAH to that!

A lot to think about, here, but I'm sure I will be happier and more organized with a few more "hell yeahs" in my life. Thanks!
Marie

Well Hell Yeah! I just got accepted at a New York Art Gallery after 40 years of saying hell yeah everytime I laid down a brush stroke or sculpted another chunk out of a large granite stone! My music is starting to happen and I write music with far more enthusiasm having known you Derek! I just spent 4 months being re-trained in the new methodology of Terrestrial Radio. I was up at 3am daily in a 4am, wrote 35 news stores, recorded 8 news and sports casts and did a live show from 6 am til noon. I blew the community away with that same motto of Hell Yeah. I did the entire show on Radio solo. A one man extravaganza and I have as much if not more energy and enthusiasm as I did when I was 17 and just starting on air. I was able to donate art to community projects, performed my music live, aired numerous of my own and other friends music on Radio and also aired numerous bands and artists from Cdbaby where my own music is. What a blast it is helping other artists. I will never have the same mark in stone that Derek Sivers has helping over 350,000 artists as you did at cdbaby by simply starting a site to sell your own music as it began.
isn't what we are doing making music and art all about sending that continuous message out of hell yeah, this is it!! This is my energy and I'm offering it to you or how can the energy and inspirations I have serve you. I guess that's how I earned the nickname Buddhaboy. I didn't and have never done things thinking oh the spotlight will shine on me. I have always had that inner spark of helping others. I have no idea why I have that spark but I do it's a love of life and people and their story not mine. Even though I'm laying down the tracks of my life here.
Excitment, enthusiasm, that's what it's all about! Isn't that the spark you are refering to Derek? I feel your energy, now I'm buzzing from it.
It took Me 2 weeks to make it back to the Toronto area from the north where I was. I camped along the way and sculpted statues at places all the way down the hiway not knowing what was in store for me next. Even now I am at a picnic table in a screen tent and have my wireless connected to some source and here I am..Hell Yeah! am I ever glad I signed in to me e-mail.I have a few days to put together my works for the New York Gallery and to be honest if I could move there in the next few weeks that's where I'd go too. That's where my Gallery will be.
I have cut a deal with a stone yard to allow me to get my prototype stone sculptings together and I'm gathering up some of the 4000 paintings and sketches I have in my storage unit close by to send to my new Gallery in New York. The toughest thing was coming up with their fee. I just kept saying something like Hell yeah or that positive vibe we can create ourselves and I've done it.
I truly feel this force that is binding our universe and I've found the stream of goodness and I am so thankful and grateful to be alive at the same time as Derek Sivers. You are such an amazing energy my friend. I love you buddy. You are simply the best, Oops that's been done Ah! oh well let's send that energy out again!!
Hell Yeah! I wanna come to New York too! is ther any chance of hiring a second energy for that wonderful trip you're on my friend. Say the word and I'm there.
We've been working at the grass roots program a bunch of started through President Obama's office.
The One Revolution!!!
see: www.zazzle.com/firstladycharities
mine is at www.zazzle.com/graphicman

I love you Buddy,

John David Hart

Buddhaboy/front man for Open Eye Universe
Music created with support of the Bowie community in the members Gallery of David Bowie dot com then we set ourselves free!! Hell Yeah! we did! now we're floating in the Universe for ever

I like this article cause it's a new way of looking at this from a new point of view.HELL YEAH!.

hell yes!

Grandma... I'm not feelin' HELL YA about your potroast tonight

I'm outta here

Having recently come to the same realization myself, reading your thoughts gave me a fresh perspective, and brought to mind a perhaps deeper view. When one reaches the position where this attitude really works it's beautiful,and reminicent of the philosophical discoveries of Raja Yoga. That is, the philosophy of Kings, made possible by being freed of everyday concerns and having many real options. Through your hard work and wonderful intellect you have arrived at a place where what you do can possibly be truly up to you. But as any sentient being might correctly guess, you did not get there by avoiding the unpleasant, but rather by embracing the difficulties that you faced with pure joy and the thrill of facing challenges head on. Loving hard work! A big part of your "Hell Yeah" realization comes from your natural courage the fact that you probably love hard work instinctively. I'll bet that you don't intend it to, but the tone of your article might lead one to think that you are endorsing a "don't take what you don't want" approach, without any of the "you gotta love it all" angle. Since playing the hand that you are dealt is almost always inevitable, regardless of wealth, I personally interpret your words to include a basic instinctive understanding of the " I get what I want get, because I want what I get." philosophy. As in the Absolute acceptance / absolute rejection philosophy of Shambala school of thought. Once a problem is fully accepted and not hid from, it's no longer so much a problem, but an opportunity that can be energizing and thrilling. I neccesary logical step. I think that this persceptive is the key element in living the "Hell Yeah" philosophy that you described. Without that, aren't we just talking about a very rich person who is above doing anything the least bit uncertain or unpleasant. That, in itself would be pure Raja Yoga, the philosophy of Kings. Comparing that to various life situations can be instructive and inspiring, and even the absolute theoretical best direction. But for a child born in Somalia just yesterday it may never be possible to glimpse much less follow. That is until that individual understands the "lemonade from lemons" perspective and realizes that throwing out all the lemons is not neccesarily going to always be advantageous.

In summary, I could not agree more with what you said. But I do think it may be misinterpreted so I added this comment.

But I'll tell you what. The "Hell yaeh, or No" realization applies perfectly to purely creative endeavors, such as composing music. For me that is where it becomes a wonderous and almost absolute guide. i.e. "No Doubt"

Thank you again for your unique way of expressing beautiful and valuable ideas!

Well, hell yeah, you made the right decision not moving to Sydney. Worst shithole I have ever lived in, spending the next few months trying get out. The city is a mess, the sun and beaches are great, but the people suck.

"Do or do not- there is no try"- Yoda :)

Earlier I posted a comment in which I said that the Hell Yeah philosophy worked perfectly in creative work, but then after thinking a bit more I realized how wrong I was. That criteria could lead to the further spectacularization of art, and the continuing extinction of subtlty in our culture. Did anyone say Hell Yeah to Eric Satie, or the impressionists, or even Stravinsky when he turned expectations upside down, and revolutionized sonic art. The reactions were more along the lines of "Holy Moly!" or, "What was that!?" Other than that, being real innovators, they also got a big rousing Hell No! These individuals were not as interested in hitting people "where they live" as in taking them somewhere completely new. Having the Hell Yeah philosphy for an artistic criteria is how we ended up with things like American Idol. "Blow me away or you're history"

Hell Yeah is a reaction we usually have to things that we understand immediately, even if they are new ideas to us. That immediate understanding is reassuring and evokes exclamation. Isn't there room for that which makes us wonder, be rapt in unsummerizing awe, and grow from that not knowing, not neccesarily assuredly, whether we like it or not. Illumination and growth can follow.

And what about "Hmmm, I never imagined anything like it", or "I don't know what to make of it, but it moves me". or even silent unencapsuated amazement.

In taking this a bit too far from your day to day application of the philosophy that you intended I hope to suggest that there is a reaction that tops Hell Yeah. It may be called "What the Hell was That!?"

And that's what artistic visonaries are born to produce. They challenge us.

I always love reading your ideas and your clear expressions of them. Thanks for reading my further musings on the subject of instant reassurance as an ultimate criteria.

"No" is not necessarily negative.
"No" can be very powerful, when used correctly.

Derek I couldn't agree more with you! I had to learn this the hard way, when two weeks ago I lay in the hospital, with tubes and wires attached to my body, and machines beeping and rumbling, nurses running around and doctors trying to figure out what's wrong with me!
They couldn't find anything wrong, except that I had said too many times YES to things that were killing me. But I found that out myself!

It's funny you wrote this article just now! If it ain't a HELL-YEAH! it's automatically a NO THANKS!

Stay healthy folks!!!

Thanks Derek!

I am a victim of moral obligations, except when I am working. As a lawyer I have learned very quickly to turn down every case it is not exciting to follow .... this way I have more free time for producing music and stay with my family. Without hurting my pockets (in fact my definition of an "exciting case" implies both a good challenge and a good economic return).

WOW. Great post, Derek. Happy to wait, as my inability to focus due to the creative juices pulling me in 100 different directions, is a constant battle. Three things: I'm amazed that you read and replied to so many of these great comments. Thank you!! However, although I derive great value from others' thoughts, I think there should be a rule that comments can't be longer than the original post. ;)

Lastly, this reminded me of a Faulkner quote my father gave me for my birthday this year:

"Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."

When we hold ourselves to being better than ourselves, anything less than a 10 along the way, is left along the side of the road (less travelled).

i got shivers when you said "hell yeah" to NYC as that was my reaction too lol if it weren't for the fact that the universe said "hell no" to my requests for an income i'd still be there, however i am still getting a "hell yeah" to finding a way to go back :D
by the way you never called me for that job??? i would have been a hell yeah lmpao just thought you should know

Good advice Derek.
I also work as a freelance web designer and after some of the offers I get and money offered, my favourite response is 'HELL NO!'

That's exactly why I've never been married!!!
-------------------But If I ever do it, when they say, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife
for the rest of your life,
'till death do you part?
. . . . I'll remember to say: ''HELL YEAH''!
sincerely,
Mr. T R U E

Excellent words of wisdom Derek. This is the first time I've responded to a post by you, but it's long overdue!!! Your website was referred to me by an Indie Artist based in Corpus Christi, Texas, where I live and love life!!!!

Keep up the great work Derek.

Grateful Ed ~ Not The Grateful Dead ~

Great advice. If you are not passionate about it, why waste your time and energy? Odds are you/it won’t be successful in the end anyways, or you spread yourself too thin with less important items taking away from the Fuck Yeahs. When you are passionate about something your whole attitude and the world around you changes. You are excited, obstacles are no match for you, effectiveness goes ways up, you are happier, and your enthusiasm spreads to others. I’d also add you do others more justice in the long as I’d rather have someone tell me no, than give me a half ass not fully into it yes.

Love it!!

First time I came across your blog, and it hit right home. Also, seeing the number of comments blew me away. What an impact you have! Very cool.

THANK YOU!
Johanna

Our Founder, Doc Cavalier, built this business on "help," and "never saying no." But things have changed. Times change. Staff changes. And, as much as we still have that disease of never being able to say no, because we truly care and want to help people, it is becoming far more apparent that about (literally) 80-90% of those "yes" items prove the old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished." I think to keep to only "hell yeah" items, from a company standpoint, is to get everyone on board to stay focused on concise, strategic goals, and to only choose those items that get closer to that goal. If there is any downtime (which we all know is an urban legend) then feel free to use that for the "yes" items.

Derek Once again you hit the nail on the head.
And it is so inline with my plan of action I started last week. What to clear off of my plate.
Hell yea!!!
Mykel

You're a genius Derek! And you're right; it helps you filter through clutter and find specifics. You narrow down to what you need to deal with without all the fluff.

Thank you for articulating it nicely.

Hell yes @ Derek--this is the reason you continue to be a 10 on my list and are one of my modern day heroes!
Thanks for all you do,
Mary Z. Cox

U raise some interesting points here Derek. The problem with modern life is that there is is much going on at all times that it's hard to make the choices as to what things will help your career. Especially online. The upshot of your article is that life is shorter than we know so why waste your time doing anything you don't believe in and feel excited about 100%. Your concept also provides a gut check for musicians. If a a musician never feels the "Hell yeah!" moment about opportunities that arise then it's time for another line of work. kudos to you for giving us food for thought!
PEace,
Vinnie Zummo

HELL YA Muckwork have to keep that in mind.Prioities what is important and what isn't

Good point D. Since artist have to be promoters, managers and artist we have no time to waiste.

Thanks

Derek,
This is something that I struggle with constantly. I always want to say, "Yes."

I just requested the book from my local library and hope to do a little self-improvement in this area in the near-future.

Toby

Derek. Wow what a really terrific point. I never thought about making a decesion based on if i am really feeling up to it or not. More often i am doing things that i really do not have time for. I am constantly trying to find times to finish my projects and on many occassions i am lured to do other things that is really not in my best interest. Great point Derek.

i agree with you up to a certain point. what would you say to a person (like me) who believes in god? to me, every decision i make is a hell yeah! decision, whether i perceive it to be a hell yeah! decision or not. every time i find myself in a situation that's derived from a may-be-less than hell yeah! decision (or, conversely, a less-than hell yeah! situation derived from what i had falsely perceived as a hell yeah! decision) i remember i'm in that situation for a reason, and, whether or not i understand why, i know that god wants me to have that experience so i can learn something, and that makes me say hell yeah!. to me, since god by definition is all-knowing, making a decision is simply a rhetorical process; god already knows what my decision is going to be, knows what the outcome is going to be, and already knows what decisions i'm going to make in result of that decision. any decision-making on my part should be seen as a figure of speech and recognized as such. thanks for your always-insightful blog posts, derek!

hell yeah!
(or how many americans say it - heck yeah)
:)

Hi Derek,

Always thought provoking as ever..While I totally understand the need reduce the fluff and concentrate on the stuff, the HELL/YEAH approach may tend to sometimes throw out the baby with the bath water. It is possible that an idea or concept can strike you as strange or odd the first time around and that after some time it becomes clear what the underlying meaning or potential really is. Could we use a HELL/MAYBE approach....maybe? :-)

Derek, thanks for the words. I am in total agreement. I have a bad habit of getting involved with people and their projects because I don't want to be rude, or seem like an ass. Well, 9 out of 10 times it never pans out or turns into something it was never supposed to be, so I am with you. Can't wait to see Muckwork come to life. Brett

Derek, thank you again for stating the often ignored obvious... : )

'Hell Yeah!' rings such a bell for me; INSTANT CLARITY, which sometimes fades so quickly, is refreshed...

ONWARD TO THE NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE!!

"Saying yes to less is the way out. "
I LOVE this article because you have verbalized a fantastic truth that promotes stabilization, sanity and focus. "Hell yeah!" or "No" from now on is the way to go. Great article, Derek!!!!

There are some people who do not grasp this concept because they do too many drugs.

Not only is this a great concept, but I usually follow it up with large dollar amounts.

Great article.

King Famous.

This is also reminiscent of Steven Covey's idea of "Win/Win or No Deal" in his Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Basically, you should work toward creating a win/win situation in any interactions you are involved in - particularly business. But don't be afraid to walk away if you can't come to an agreement. It's better to have no agreement then one that makes you come away feeling less than thrilled.

Your sense of Energy is Very Uplifting. I do so Enjoy reading your Rants!
Thanks, tj

Derek what a fantastic and COMPLETELY applicable post! I can relate to this on so many levels and the timing of this latest article is something uncanny! Not only is it food for thought....it rings true for me on a DEEP level. "The art of saying no" such a simple yet powerful way to live. We aren't taught that saying no means saying YES to what really matters in our lives. OUR values, OUR dreams, what we feel we can contribute with passion and truth, this is the gift we give ourselves when we say no to the things that don't make our "heart sing"

May you continue to be blessed Derek as you have blessed so many of us with your insight, service to independent musicians and your support of our "quest for self expression"

blessings, leila

Fascinating article and full of truth. I do believe in intentionality and being mindful of what we are involved in.

However, I am willing to bet that the bigger pile of money you sit on is in direct proportion to how much "hell" you can put in "hell yeah!"

For many with bills to pay, you gotta say yes when you gotta say yes, hell-inclusive or not.

Hell Yeah! Has always been my professional compass. Thanks for putting it in words! ~ethan

What a powerful decision making tool! I used it over the past week and it has already changed the experiences I've been having for the better.

Wrote about the specifics on my blog here:
http://www.sethigherstandards.com/how-to-make-powerful-and-fast-decisions/

Thanks Derek!

Ravi (in Seattle, WA - where yes, it is August but still raining!)

Hello Derek,
The word "No"some people think by saying no is bad. The word yes can be bad as well.But the word "No" use more often. If you lose some thing, The first word you say is:"OH NO" But for me saying no can be good.

derek.

i simply love the way you put thoughts and feelings to words.

that said, i don't want to leave you with an, "i like it."

what hits me about this piece is your kindness. many people simply say no. or change their conditions without explaining it.

the kindness of going through what you did to write this, And then going to trouble of writing and posting, is moving to me.

i applaud your decision to Live Your Life, be accountable, and still be such an amazing person, business person, and friend.

thanks for being you derek.
stefan

Derek-
You are so RIGHT! I wish I would have had that advice many, many years ago. Spreading yourself too thin interferes way too much with "Hell Yeah" projects. I'm going to start practicing saying "NO".

Thanks-
Pete

Thanks Derek. Did I learn from these thoughts? HELL YEAH!

Excluding perfunctory duties and courtesy which we merely performed as a routine, it's wise to heed your counsel Derek. It should either be a "HELL YEAH" OR "NO" period.

To many people, this rule is to be mastered with time. For me persoanlly, although I am learning this daily, I really love to be on one end of the bar not between.

Jesus had this principle too, teaching His followers to simply let their "Yes" be "Yes" and their "No" be "NO" (Matthiew 5v37). Not only does he who finds himself in the middle an evil one, but he is condemned by means of his location within the bar (James 5v12).

Being overly burdened and its consequences upon our social relationship are part of the self-imposed condemnations we suffer. I rather better be located on either a "HELL YEAH" or "NO".

God bless you, Deerek.

Nice idea, and I agree with the sentiment behind it, but for me it wouldn't work, I'd end up sat around the house all day doing nothing! I never really feel 'Hell Yeah!' about anything, I tend to be indifferent and apathetic all the time. I can't remember what it last was that got me that motivated!

I've been doubled-burned by not following that philosphpy. I've given far too many 'yeah, ok's myself, as well as let myself accept far too many from others. Don't spread yourself too thin; but also recognize when people are spreading themselves too thin to accomodate you.

Finding this blog today...

Hell Yeah!!

I just turned down a gig because i noticed myself feeling dread about it, before even committing. I felt better as soon as I said no. It's all about energy management.

As someone who has many, many varied interests, I find I always want to do so much, and quickly say yes and overcommit to do things I definitely like, but don't necessarily love. But there is a dividing line of how I feel about a handful of things, the "hell yeah" things, and so looks like all the rest should really be a "no." Thanks for posting this article!

Derek, PLEASE get Muckwork up and running!
I'm trying! — Derek

I sure needed this reminder!!!!!
Thanks so much:)

Hi and thank you for sharing your point of view.
I do not entirely agree though. Are you someone still waiting for HELL YEAH moment? Sometimes waiting is just not an option. In any case you will do more if you do something, than if you don't :). Take the opportunity, expand your ideas, listen for the feedback and do more with all of this.

Greetings from Bulgaria
Georgi

Great advice! It's too bad that it doesn't apply sometimes (you can't say hell no to an assignment and get off ok). On the other hand, this has a wide range of uses. I have been using this to pare down my music and photos, only keeping what I really like. Whatever makes me really excited or looks/sounds really great stays!

Thanks for the great advice.

I say Hell Yeah to this page. :) hehehe. Trust me I know what your saying here, about the feeling that the hell yeah was there or it wasn't. I was in NY for 3 days, it was supossed to be for 14 days on a music adventure in the city. I wasn't feeling it after the second day so I called the producer and I canceled the rest of the time I had left in NY and I left the third day. WHY YOU ASK???? Because I wasn't feeling it, so I said HELL NO!!! Good artical Derek :)

So much looking forward to your Muckwork website. I know it will be a great success. All the best of luck to you and HELL YEAH for this post.

Sometimes ya gotta be there for someone else, even if it's not "Hell Yeah", but a lot of truth in this. Another related idea is "#89 If Someone Throws You The Ball, You Don't Have to Catch It" from Richard Carlson's book; 'Don't Sweat The Small Stuff'

Where you go depends on where you've been. Our lives are based on the dicisions we make. We need to feel hell yeah totally when we think we're ready to show what were doing to the rest of the world. Cause we want everyone to say hell yeah to us. Do you have good ideas Derek? Hell yeah! We need to let ourselves know we do the right thing!!!

You're soooo right on it again, Derek!
Thanks for the new perspective. Was JUST struggling with, like most everyone else, and this helped make up my mind about a bunch of undecided stuff! Some of it I have to do to survive, after that, it'll be placed on this new scale for quicker and more satisfying decisions that help reach my truer goals.

For the naysayers: For everything that is to be done there is one (or more) who can say "Hell, Yeah!" If those people would clean off their plates of the things that are less than 9 for them, then they would have the time/energy to say "Hell, yeah!" I don't find it narcissistic at all, I find it to be that everybody uses their time/energy for that for which they have the desire/talent. In that manner, all things work out for the best.

On the other hand, I can see leaving ourselves open to new experiences that may make us grow that maybe on the onset seem like "ho-hum" opportunities, but not at the expense of our sanity or well being. Who can do a great job when they are overextended?

This is a great way to take potential confusion out of decision making. Simple yet effective philosophy. If you love it, do it, if you don't then stop right there. Our inital excitement meter is the gauge we should use to decide whether or not to take on a project. It's like getting a good signal for a vocal at the start of recording. If there's a great signal and the content is good then you'll end up with a great recording. If there's no signal then no matter what effort you put in the end result will be dull. Search for the spark!

of what makes the end result good or bad. Nice one!

I started taking a similar attitude a couple of years ago. It started when I decided to be more grateful. Then when I found something I couldn't be grateful for, I dropped it.

This attitude really changed my perception of everything. Instead of having a bunch of things I did but wished I didn't have to do, every activity I was involved in was either great or gone.

OK I didn't read all the comments so forgive me if I am repeating but this made me think of a Bob Dylan quote: "when something isn't right it's wrong"

Thanks much. I always enjoy your insights - this one is real help just now!

I'd be curious to know how you began the search again in a different way.. and if it would work for bassists. ;)

In all my life I've yet to meet a hell yeah bass player!

Wow. But . . . what do you do when you are involved in many things, almost too many to really focus on, but they are all important to you. Maybe I do have some other no's in there that I'm not really paying attention to that would make these Hell Yeah's a little easier to manage.

"I'd be curious to know how you began the search again in a different way.. and if it would work for bassists. ;)

In all my life I've yet to meet a hell yeah bass player!"

Hmm, Bill, I've met a few Hell yeah bass players in my time. Could it be that the particular type of music you play isn't really that Hell Yeah for bass players and so the really great ones don't get involved. I know as a drummer some types of music just don't seem to be easy for me to get into. I'm not criticizing your music, as I haven't heard it, just thinking out loud. Maybe there is a way that you could approach your music in a slightly different way that still rings true for you but somehow attracts hell yeah bass players. This maybe isn't that helpful, but I'm just throwing the idea out there.

What great advice, Derek! I am not much of a reader, but I think I am going to buy that book. My whole life, except for a very small percent (probably 15%) has rated around a 3-5. I have had trouble figuring out what to do with my life and my God-given talents. I have had so many interests that I never seem to get started in any one direction. I recently had the opportunity to audition for a band. I wasn't feeling great about it, but I thought, "What the heck." After a very moving sermon in church that morning, I said "no" to that audition and I felt great about it. I have, since then, been trying to figure out what I specifically want to do, what I feel confident doing, and what I feel "led" to do. I am going to use your "Hell Yeah!" in narrowing my interests and my path to success (and I don't mean success in terms of money, although I wouldn't complain if it included money... I mean happiness, fulfillment, a feeling that I'm headed in the right direction and making a difference in my life and in the lives of others.) Hell yeah!

first: i believe it should be: HEAVEN Yeah ;-))).
second: even if it feels great at the beginning - there will be times where there are just tears and blood till you finish a song, a project or whatever. if you are lucky it's about 30% inspiration and 70% transpiration ;-)
love harald

This is an amazing post. It applies to companies, too, that spend too many of their resources chasing down pretty cool ideas or opportunities. It only spreads the company too thing, and everything becomes ineffective. I'll be forwarding it along to many of my colleagues at the office.

bd
@bdunc1

I know that feeling of "HELL YEAH"! Good advise of how to prioritize from “Personal Development for Smart People”.

WITHOUT A DOUBT I AM AGREEING WITH YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON THE "HELL YEAH" OR STRAIGHT OUT "NO" CONCEPT. I FEEL YOU SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO DISAPPOINT OTHERS OUT OF FEAR OR ANYTHING ELSE. LOOK THEM SQAURE IN THE FACE AND DELIVER AS IT WILL HELP YOU AND OF COURSE THEM LATER ON. "NO" CAN BE A VERY GOOD THING IN MANY WAYS. IT HELPS THOSE WHO ARE TOLD "NO" TO HONE IN ON THEIR SKILLS AND CRAFTS AND COME BACK TO THE TABLE MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE. "HELL YEAH" WHEN DONE OUT OF CONTEXT ONLY HELP TO ENABLE. "DON'T BE AN ENABLER".

Great writing. keep up the good work!

Once again Mr. Sivers you've knocked me out :-) I'll be trying this stright away :-)
Es gibt ja bekanntlich keine Geschwindigkeitsgrenzen ;-)

Something I realised a very long time ago is that in life you can choose to do one thing *really well* or many things not so well (but enjoy them). If you take one thing and devote your life to it, you will eventually be one of the best people at it, absolutely. The elite are either fanatically devoted or naturals and even naturals have to practice. People who are good at many things are very rare.

One thing I disagree though, is how you handle it: if I promise to do something, I do it. If I'm not sure, I'll say I'm not sure. My promises are like gold dust. If you get one from me then that thing gets done even if it costs me a packet or I have to break a limb. I prefer to be a man of my word.

Well, I'm late to this thread and this may have already been said, but I love the Oscar Wilde theorem: " I shall go through life either First Class, or Third, but never second". When I remember to live like this, I do (and concern myself with) fewer activities, but at a much higher level of intensity, flow, awareness etc for the ones that remain.

Funny how easy it is to become distracted from what matters to you. I've been developing a simple system to keep what matters right in sight.

Maybe this has been said already, but getting to a decision like this could mean a 3 months process too, if you have a new hire and you have to test him.

http://www.uberpix.net/wp-content/main/2009_12/Dancing.jpg

i think this suits here well.

But still i think its too black/white philosophy, that shouldn`t be used as all-life saving moto. Read in another book such example : A string on a guitar that is too much hardened brakes, a string that isn`t enough - doesn`t sound well, and it`s good just about the middle. Life is too complicated or easy or in the middle to have only one theory. sorry for bad english.

Schöner gedanke aber verliere ich nicht vieleicht ein Hauffen Kunde wenn ich zu allen ungeliebten Aufträgen nein sage?

wow - seriously love this!!

As a stay at home mom this has been my theme over the past three years - if I don't *love* the idea of doing something I'm not going to say yes just because all the other moms are doing it.
Day at the park? Love to if it's hot and sunny!
Play date with another mom and her child? Only if I like the other mom!

:)

Such a great article I felt like I should leave a comment, but I couldn't think of what to say.

Then I remembered that if I couldn't think of anything good to say, leaving a comment doesn't fit into the "hell yeah!" category, and I navigated away.

...but then I realized I had a meta-thought, and I enjoy meta-thoughts, so here I am.

Thanks for this blog entry, Derek, and for everything you do. I'm a singer-songwriter who usually feels discouraged by the enormity and amorphousness of the new music industry, and I've decided that your blog is my new church. I hope you don't mind if I say, "FRAK YEAH!" instead. ;-)

Great post! And I like moving 5 - 8s down to 1. Your post reminds me of the "do it now or don't do it" time management system. Sure, you still need to delay some things (but you schedule them) when they'll take extra time, but basically "do it" because it's a Hell yeah! or don't do it at all--yes? Hell yes? Hell yeah!

Just watched your TED Talk. Really great! also i like this post. YES OF COURSE or nope.. i try that! Now im looking forward to your book

This is a great perspective! I sometimes have to force a "hell yes" from a "hmm can I really be bothered?" [I am too good at being a hermit sometimes!] but I agree with the sentiment. If it's not a "hell yes" it's a "no". Great!

count me in on Hell Yeah!!!

No time to check for similar posts, so possibly a redundancy here. I think HELL YES is a good tool to have at ones disposal --but not the only tool. I think one has to leave oneself open to the possibility that one might NOT know what's best. How many pieces of music didn't move you at first, but later became favorites? How many artists/labels know which song should be the single?

..just... Brilliant! this really is a key to happiness in life.

your idea is inspiring to me. i am definitely chronically overcomitted.
thanks!

I sell real estate as one of my jobs. I really appreciate the HELL YEAH! client who looks at a house, gets excited, and immediately wants to find out how to buy it.
I am ever so much more willing to do all it takes to make this go through for them, as opposed to the ones who say: "Well, yeah, I sort of liked that other house, but I guess we could put in an offer on this one."
And it's not just the money; I'm so much more excited to work for a "HELL YEAH!" buyer offering 70k than a "Well, yeah...." buyer offering 100k on the same house.

hmm. this is interesting... i'll be reading a lot of your blogs for the next few days.

Hell yeah derick thanks for reaching out!! i'm loving your blogs and i hate blogs. now i'm going to stop fucking off and make something great happen HELL YES!

I've always used " Good and Best."
A lot of things might be good to do but not the best thing to do.But I must agree on how much that makes sense, if it ain't "hell yeah" it ain't gonna happen!
John / Jacob Blue

Great post. It seems we always spend too much time on the things that seem important, but really aren't that important. I like the idea of requiring a "hell yeah" before it ends up on my calendar.

Great post Derek! The Hell-Yeah thing is worth trying.

I like this article.

I agree 98%, but how often have you done something you didn't want to and had the time of your life!


Also, someone else's Hell-Yeah is worth it! Even if you end up not where you want to be.

My man,

That's the exact way I felt when I read the KarmaList blog. Derek your a cool dude, you got that good game my man ! You give away so much for free, you must be at peace with yourself...? Hell Yeah i'm f**king with my man Derek!

Balacke

Great article Derek...I'll be shouting Hell Yeah a lot from now on!

This is what my HELL YEAH! sounds like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMPFGBtE7Q

Jump to 1:48 in the video. This is probably my favorite SNL Digital Short. I adore Natalie Portman.

A BIG HELL YEA from me!! Life's too short...

Hey,

"Hell yes !" is rather important an expression in the article above. Translating it to "L´enfer ouais !" is just wrong. It does not make any sense in french, unless you know some english.

bye

A great philosophy! Let 2011 be the year of all or nothing! Hell Yeah!

Ah yes! Brilliant observation! I think this is totally the way to go, I couldn't agree more! HELL YEAH! :)

Lo bueno es enemigo de lo excelente.

Wowwwwww! I love love love this! I absolutely needed to see this. I am always saying yes....and then letting people down including myself because I absolutely feel obligated. And Hell Yeah, you have something figured out brother. From this moment forth, I shall reevaluate my response to opportunity...and really pay attention to whats true inside me, and quit being a people pleaser. I love you for this.

Right, hell yeah :) Gret article!

This is basically the 80/20 Rule (Pareto's Principle) stated another way.

This is great advice! i think there's always a pressure to do as many things as you can to progress but if you're not feeling it with that passion you're not going to get much out of it anyway! Cheers!

Awesome advice! Here's to saying NO :)

Oh I love this approach to saying no! No guilt attached because you're saying no in order to give more of yourself to the things that really matter. Excellent. I shall put this into practice.

I'm saying "yes" to saying "no" :D

No is the way forward!
:)

Have already starting sharing this. hell yeah!
;)

I agree with most that has been written. Who says you have to say a luke warm yes rather than a no?

Do you have a family? I believe in that too.

Dang, with an attitude like that I will not be able to work in the cube farm...

Oh wait, I don't work in the cube farm!

This sounds like a recipe for squeezing more joy out of life. Love the idea of replacing the 6,7,8's with a 0. Hell yeah!

I like it Derek, life is too short for anything else. Thank you!

I just quit my 2nd job based on the "HELL YEAH! or no" Principle.

My desire to be happy is finaly outweighingd my fear of...you name it: becoming destitute, letting people down, not following through, etc.

A moment of disrespect by my employer and I woke up. I've only been doing it for the money, and hating my life more every day for it.

So, I ended it. I didn't think about it, except for a brief question "is this the right thin?"g and I felt a "hell yeah" well up inside :-)

I expect profound things to come of this personal revolution.

Thanks for planting this seed Derek, for all of us!
Wow! Congratulations! That's awesome! — Derek

there is a part of me that doesn't buy this concept. My friend Colleen said it best. "My no's aren't paying off."

Truth. They are not for her.
(at least at the present moment) I believe they will. I see how much joy it brings her and how much love she spins back into it. It is a gorgeous dance.

Question: how do you choose "no" to paying gigs if they are not fulfilling and low paying yet easy and paying your bills? Risking the "hell yeah" to the "yes" (in this case a piano concert) is not yet paying anything. It seems irrational to encourage her?

My intuition says, "Do it...play for old folks homes, play for a night clubs, offer up your skills and song for charity event, if you you want to play piano and sing all day, get out there and do it. There are ways to make it happen. Get the venue set the date, pre-sell tickets at every event and have the freakin' concert."

Even though my intuition on this this is correct, my logic fights intuition into submission.

Sometimes I can almost get logic to concur, but it feels like it requires radical trust which is....well...radical:-)

Tonight we met a business man who usually diggs Colleen's work. As soon as he heard she was planning a concert after only 5 months of serious piano practice he immediately turned into Mr. Negativity.

Her feeling is she has always been meant to play and she took to the instrument like a fish returned to water

Anyways. I had a 'Hell Yeah' moment for myself tonight and it was the sweetest feeling. Four words: "Annie Get Your Gun" I found my 4th block final project for theater class. Now I don't have to fret about it. I can start doing the research and prep. Yeehaw!

It is fun to return to these posts,finding new ways to think about my thinking.

Thanks

wow, interesting how much I vacillate on this concept.

really challenging

how I can trust one moment, encourage a friend to trust.

Question....question....question.

Does it get easier?

read about you on the Art of Non Conformity blog.
Good luck with your chinese TED lecture.

Hell yeah !! I will come back to read this blog often.. very crisp in conveying what you want to... like it !

Yeah, you're applying this to major decisions, but this is the conclusion I've come to in dealing with something much more mundane, information overload.

There's so much interesting stuff bombarding us from every direction on the web, not to mention emails of all sorts, etc.

While the cost of information has dramatically dropped, our supply of time hasn't increased. Now it can't just be something interesting, it has to be something REALLY interesting and/or applicable to MY situation to make it worth spending time on.

"Ti piace questo articolo?"
Alla Grande!
Bel articolo.

I've heard this "advice" before. I do not subscribe to it - and would not have done, discovered, learned, or contributed much of what I have if I did. The value and benefit (to ourselves and/or others) is NOT always clear or compelling beforehand. While it IS important (to be able) to say "No", of more importance in much of life is the willingness to say "Yes".
... until a point. Saying YES is the correct strategy if you don't have much going on, and are moving your way to success. But once you are already busy or successful, saying YES can destroy you, as you over-commit and do nothing well. — Derek

Olá Derek,

um amigo meu me enviou o seu artigo. Desde há algum tempo que eu tenho vindo a aplicar o é isso aí. Por vezes é um pouco difícil pois eu não estou sozinho e por vezes o "é isso aí" tem que esperar um pouco por criar reacções bastante negativas nos que me são próximos e aos quais não quero perturbar de forma excessíva. Enfim, ainda estou a resolver essa questão...

Continuação de bom trabalho.

Tozé Constantino.

Hell yeah !! I will come back to read this blog often.. very crisp in conveying what you want to... like it !

Interesting Read.... Liked it :). Thanks.

Hell yeah or no.....
great thing to learn about life is that it is short..... so don't waste time on doing things half hearted.....do it completely or not at all....... thanks for the post..:)

All In, or totally out. Totally present, or totally absent. Opt in completely, or opt out. Bring Hell Yeah to your next meeting, or just say no. http://kasperowski.com/2012/01/dont-suck-at-meetings.html

470 comments. HELL YEAH! ; )

I'm guilty of overcommitting to projects......my own ideas and others. The problem is that I usually don't finish any of them because i'm stretched too thin. I'm going to clean off my plate and stop committing out of habit. Thanks

I am glad I discovered your Blog...no more "Hell Yeah" in my life

Thanks a lot

What if we say 'maybe' to something that maybe 'hell yeah' and we just dont see it yet?
What about that?

Thank you for your article, which gives me some more insights about the decision to do something or not.

Saying Yes = I think I will do it but I may change my mind later
Saying No = I won't do it.
Saying Hell yeah = 100% Commitment

To me, "Hell yeah" means that I have to be 100% responsible for what I am doing - spend 100% time, effort, heart on that, and it'll be all my fault if if the results are not as expected. A lot of times I have say "Hell yeah" to encourage myself to overcome the fear of failure inside. Saying so, I feel I could do whatever I want to do and achieve whatever I want to achieve. Kinda boost my intrinsic motivation :)

After just being to Mötley Crüe concert HELL YEAH! seems so much more to the point than just a lame Yes. Thanks!

I found this article three years after it was written (via a 6-20-12 link by CC Chapman). The whole concept of "Hell Yeah,... or NO" is speaking to my soul. No wonder there are 483 comments on this post. Timeless.

agree with you derek .It is in our habit to say yes and regret it later.one more thing i like about you is that which ever book you like .You make sure to summarize with your views.really found amazing.

Thanks

I like this approach, but it has a serious draw-back. Often, things that are necessary for us to do, don't draw a "HELL YEAH" from us.

How many of us felt that way every day of school?

So, this approach has its place, but it is rare.

Allow me to respectfully disagree:

Personally, I LIKE being over committed. And when I think back on things that I almost said "no" too because I just wasn't sure if I had time, or if it would be fun, I really would've missed out on some truly amazing things.

The play I'm in right now, for example. (http://www.livetruthfully.org/box-office/) I was right on the edge of auditioning. I kept going back and forth. My inner monologue went something like this: "To audition, or not to audition? That is the question. Theatre takes up SO MUCH time, there's a lot of bad theatre in L.A. blah blah blah do I really want to commit 9 weeks of my life to something that might be crap? ... ... Well, I don't have work today so I'm gonna give it a shot."

If I had followed this guys formula I definitely would not have auditioned. And it would've been a real shame because this show is turning out to be one of the truly high points of my acting career. When I really think about it, if I had followed this guys formula in high school I wouldn't be an actor at all. I didn't know that I was going to be so "Hell Yeah!" about acting until after I decided to give it a shot. And I'm sure glad I did. So yeah, I'm much more of a "Yes man" kind of guy. I don't ever want to look back on a choice and wonder if I missed out on something great.
44 seconds ago · Edited · Like

I'm saying Hell yeah to this concept :)

Saw this article reposted on Lifehacker today. Saw the mention of Muckwork, which I had been wondering about last week but had forgotten what it was called.

Derek, how about saying "HELL YEAH!" to getting Muckwork off the ground? I'll love you even more!

Life if just too short for anything less than "Hell, yes!"

This makes a lot of sense. We should be in complete awe of EVERY area of my life.

From now on, its all or nothing.

Thanks for the motivation, you're a true entrepreneur Derek!

Another excellent article. I too was guilty of saying 'yes' too often, and also spending time quoting for jobs I never really wanted. Much better to give your all to the best ones.

Really insperational article! I often dont properly commit when quoting for deign jobs if I am unsure. Im either go to learn to say NO or give 100 percent. Thanks

Ah I'm one of those scattered people with tons of projects always in the works. I like the sounds of this.

(Probably a great mindset to have when dating as well.)

radom thought...

The perspective of "hell yes" or "no way" mindset...

These thoughts didn't manifest until you were deluged by success, correct? As I became my own boss in business, I became more stubborn and adamant that I would not lower myself to work for another person so much so as now its completely ingrained in me and I could not think of one reason to go back to settling for "less" at least in my mind. These feeling and thoughts became me and leaked into my love life and everything else where I just got what I wanted while my friends were still settling for the norm.

I don't think most people have the luxury of feeling this or having the ability to suddenly take this plunge. I did not for sure for a long time and it had to become me over a period of time. I think this is a case where your situation shaped your attitude and not coming out of some epiphany as most people like to think how we come up with ideas. It is smart what you wrote but I certainly think it would not have been so if you did not achieve the bigger success. In other words, success breeds more success probably in an exponential way on an individual in general but I would need data to verify that.
Yep. Exactly. This is a philosophy for the over-commited. Those who are not swamped in opportunities should probably say yes to everything. — Derek

Brilliant! What a deceptively simply, yet potentially life-changing concept. You've just helped me get crystal clear about how I intend to navigate 2013. Many thanks and best wishes.

I think it's important to think about "wise parameters" for this approach. It seems wise for pre-arranged commitments but not for possible spontaneous micro-commitments. I think there is much to be said for making small, in the moment commitments based guided by ethics that don't always lead us to "hell yeah." Inserting ourselves into slightly uncomfortable or time-consuming activity because we believe it's the right thing to do may not elicit an immediate "hell yeah." So, when we stop to help the stranger, it may not be motivated out of in the moment wanting to, but out of a more broadly considered sense of what we consider virtuous. Maybe a "fancy footwork" way to say that is that in a big picture sense we'd say "hell yeah" to that being done even though in the moment we may say "mild arggh." I know we all have the tendency to be duty bound but we all also have the tendency to avoid certain kinds of interaction even when later we'd think the right thing to do would be to get involved.

Also, it helps to think about the nature of the task. If we think something unambiguously needs to get done (and we carefully reflect on the wisdom of us doing it as opposed to someone else, outsourcing it, etc.) there are some tasks where we probably shouldn't expect bliss. For many of us, regular exercise falls into this category. Should I do it? Hell yeah! Can someone do it for me? Hell no! Can I be careful to try to find ways to exercise I like...maybe. Does it inherently involve some unpleasantness and suffering but I'd rather be the person who does it than the one who doesn't? Yes. Do I often not want to do it? Certainly. So, there are some commitments to routine, chores, or tasks that have inherent drudgery in them were we may need to settle for some level of resignation, rather than unbridled enthusiasm. That's not to say that we shouldn't exercise degrees of freedom to make such obligations more satisfying and that we shouldn't carefully consider any perceived "have tos."

Dereck,

This is a great reminder that came at the most opportune time. Thanks bro! "Hell Yeah!!!!!"

Remember... be a servant,

Cory Boatright

I have to say I loved the concept but initially thought that's easy for you to do, you have all these cool offers and money isn't a problem for you.

However I've taken this to heart, and it's made such a profound difference in my life. I get offered cooler gigs because I do a great job at the ones I want to do in the first place!

It's my birthday today and its that time of the birthday when the (adult, civilized) excitement is over and the weighing up occurs... This page made me feel so empowered to categories all the opportunities I see everywhere say "down boy", NO. someone else can do that for them. Is time to cut down all the weeds so that something really special can grow. And ive enjoyed writing this so much too - Thanks Derek!

"Hell yes" in terms of which criteria ?

It just dawned on me that we may say Yes to the wrong aspect of an opportunity - I.e. yes it offers good money and I should earn more, or I should have a salary paying job etc.

If I'm correct in understanding Derek's point it's that we should tell our big brawny brain to sit still for a little while ... whilst we listen out for that deep inner voice to shout out HELL YES! (And been shouting for years)

Ouch, this is kinda painful. Like truth that's painful. Truth you don't want to hear.

I just this morning said Yes to a project that's not even a 5, 6, or 7! Maybe it's a 3. Ouch. That hurt.

What am I going to do about it? I'm going to turn it into a 10 by, well, frankly, not doing it myself. I need help with work overload and if I can pass along the jobs to people working for me, and THEY say Hell Yeah! then I'm good.

Still better for me and them to say Hell Yeah! :-)

wow! or hmm?

Interresting gives a person something to think about.

I agree, Hell Yeah. Follow your heart http://yojackleon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/decision-time.html

This post just put my recently adopted thought process into words. Awesome post great choice of wording. Now I really have litmus test for taking on new projects.

Great post!

I love the way you said this Derek! Its so true if Im not excited about a project whats the point. Paid or not, you have to enjoy what your doing. Thanks for the great post :)


Steph

A 'hell yeah' moment is making a decision with your heart, not always engaging your head..

I love the idea - it would be nice to be in a space where you only accept opportunities based on the 'hell yeah' principle - but that wont always pay the bills right? sometimes we have to accept that there will be those 'yep' moments that we need to get through to appreciate the 'hell yeah' moments.

My husband has been trying to convince me to grab a 'hell yeah' moment - sell the house, hook up the camper and go and explore our beautiful country for a year. This is really a 'hell yeah' moment....but the brain clicks in and says..that's great but you have responsibilities..... I so want to say 'hell yeah' lets do it!

Well even I feel a lot overburdened by the commitments I make and then feeling so pressed for time so that I am not able to enjoy even things which get a instant Ahaha Feeling for me. Will try what you said and let you know. As someone said Life is all about choices and too short to squander

Love it!!!!!

Hell Yeah! great thing to know. thank you so much. previously i used to settle with anything. but now on wards its Hell Yeah or No....

This makes me think of NPS... Almost like a personal net promoter score.

Maybe instead of "are you satisfied", you could ask... "Would you recommend this to a friend or family member?"

I once read that some of our most significant trauma comes from our inability to say no. I think your philosophy is great; we can't do it all. Good luck with Wood Egg. I fancy myself a pretty good proofreader, but I will be up to neck writing my dissertation. It is coming slow, but it is coming. Take care.

Very interesting point of view and, as you know already, very well written.

It sure sounds like a good idea, but then you have to really think about it.

Perhaps your view would be great for the very busy and for those who are already working to their highest capacity, pursuing their dreams and living the life they want to live.

But, don't you agree that there are very many people, perhaps a majority, who are not satisfied with their lives; who are not achieving the personal satisfaction on all levels; who are working at jobs they dislike or even hate, because they are trapped by bills and obligations?

Those folks are not at liberty to follow the Hell Yes philosophy (no matter how appealing it may be). Don't you agree? What about them?

Then there are the vast number of people who are trapped by their own inertia, whose lives are unsatisfactory, but...

Many people would use this advice as an excuse to avoid going beyond their comfort zone and for those (hundreds of millions, if not billions) whose lives are not all they could be, who are not realizing their dreams, making MASSIVE CHANGE is really important.

Just what I needed to make a decision about a project that has become a burden instead of fun. Thank you! :-)

HELL YEAH!!!! Love this! Thank You! x

The only things I say "HELL YEAH" to are my own, which generally require the cooperation of others. No one says "HELL YEAH' to my things. If I lived this way I'd never do anything. It's either say "yes" to someone else or sit at home. Maybe I'd get my own stuff done, but who would care when it came time to market it?

Hell to the yeah!!!!

Very insightful and thought provoking

I think it depends on your station in life, but going into something with unbridled enthusiasm is awesome. I've become very skeptical in my mid-40s, but always open-minded about opportunities. I've been wrong about hell-yeahs and hell-nos. Now, I look for signs that a hell-yeah can be sustainable.

Such great advice. I get asked to meet all the time and there's always a good reason to go but to make a meal of it I need to make most of the effort after the fact. They are not using me but theres just a lot more I can offer.
Your advice will (if I can be ruthless) save me so much time, allowing me to focus on my priorities, not someone elses. Thanks!

Derek, I am using now this kind of approach too. When it is not according to my feelings I just and rather say: thanks so much but No.
Musically Anaya

Sometimes it's good to get out of a place that really sucks and get to a stepping stone of moderate satisfaction in order to be able to find your "Hell Yeah"place. Otherwise, the "Hell Yeah" axiom is righteous. (I speak from the point of view of trying address his kind of decision: moving from a place that sucks versus a place of relief for the time being. Been holding off for the "Hell Yeah" option. Perhaps my approach to finding the "Hell Yeah" conclusion I want is wrong?)

Definitely need to look at all the important areas of my life and start rating them. Health, money, and relationships. Some are better than others. It's either HELL YEAH or nothing at all. Great advice, Derek! Hope all is well!

We let "obligation" rule our lives, when really, it is just a sense of expectation created by those around us and ingrained into our minds from as far back as we can remember. Little children can be impulsive, because they haven't yet learned to consider pros and cons, but at the heart of it, they have a fair idea of what they really want to do, and what they would really rather not. We are trained out of this behavior as we "grow up", unfortunately, but I like the fact that we can so easily rediscover this ability. Thank you for this post Derek. :) Have a great time in Iceland!

Nikos Kazantzakis in one of his book had an elderly man give advice to a young man saying: Once you decide to do something give all your youth and do not fell sorry about it.
After reading your article I have understood what the above meant.
☺ Nice quote. Thank you. — Derek

Wonderful Thought, Thanks for share
http://www.amarvoice.net/review-of-ios-7/

This is incredible. And I think I'm going to start using it.

genius philosophy

you can lose a lot by sayin 'no' so often. lots of great stuff happens when you don't expect it but they happened just because you decided to say yes to something that you were maybe not absolutely into. i say yes to many new things i have not tried even though i was not sure about doing. many of wonderfull experiences i have thanks to doing that

This is so nice article. Everyone should know what is the "Hell Yeah" thing they want to do, either in work or life. Before I just know I need to say lots of "Nos", but I really don't get a stand when to say "Yes". You clear my idea for now.

Bookmark it and will read it again and again later.

Hi Derek

Great post! I came to this post from Mark Manson's post on Fuck Yes or No where he mentioned your approach and I got to thinking that this is a wonderful way of approaching things.

It makes so much sense especially for me (and it seems for many of us who have less and less time yet do more and more stuff).

I've started applying this more consistently in both my business and personal settings and for me it works because of its simplicity and the fact that it emanates from something real and true to who you are - why do something if you are only half-in about it? Out of a sense of commitment or because you have to?

You need to be behind it all the way and when that happens, you give it every chance of success as well. So yea, thanks for sharing. It has made real impact on me and my choices.

Regards
Rowena Morais

very interesting philosophy! i'm definitely going to try it out!

Thanks man, great advice. There is more than too much of good things each one of us could do, that we wouldn't even been able to do all of them in the life time.
But definitely there less 'Heal Yeah' positions, and I think that those are the things to spend the life time on.

This is definitely good for some things, but I can't see it being applicable to everything. Hell Yeah I love these jeans, I don't want eat a salad...

For those in less fortunate situations of environment, economics and health of themselves, or immediate family, choices are even more simple: simply surviving and the choice that (you hope) allows you to do that. ...which is a Yeah out of necessity and not a Hell Yeah. Glad you give back as it shows your recognize your privilege of choice beyond the basics of survival. WOW there are sooo many more rich people today as so many have all these idealistic views of how to live life and make choices in it ...we come a long way over the past 100 years ++ ...glad I missed out on the the prior 9,900 where this sort of philosophy or choice was only among the top 1/4%.

This was a great read. Thank you for the insight. I'll definitely take this to heart.

Great way to look at things.

HELL YEAH!!! I love this!!

I think it'll definitely change my perspective on how I take on all endeavours!

Glad to read that someone else shares this all or no way thinking. I have applied this to my life and listen to my gut feeling so now I am happy with where I'm at. Thanks for the post!

Hell yeah!

Hi Derek,

Thank you for sharing your ideas and thoughts Derek. Very thought provoking. Can you clarify the following? I saw a video where you were talking about stopping at good enough. This article is talking about saying no to everything except Hell yeah!. These might seem opposite ideas at first. In your life, In what situations do you say good enough and in what situations do you say no except if it is Hell Yeah! ?

A little book that can help you know if any decision is a hell yes or no:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/qg48dy2

Saying "no" to someone else is simply saying "yes" to yourself.
I need to work more on getting to the "Hell Yeah!" for all my yeses.
Good blog post.

I read much of your writing (thank you) and I see that you help people figure out themselves.

But I must try my best to help "save the world." Silly? but I do not understand why I haven't seen anything about climate change and other problems in your writing. Okay, all those problems are hard to take on. But they call me - I spend much time studying and writing about those things, yes, and sending the letters off. I can only read a few hours of philosophy, of yours and our other friends.

Hell yeah! Best 3 minutes reading I've had in a while.

Saying 'No' is tough - but you made it so EASY!

Thank you!

How valuable - What an exciting way to live. I'm just learning. Thanks, Derek - You are astounding!

This simplifies your life rather quickly. It gives you the energy to focus on the things that you want to excel.

A life coach friend of mine has been saying this as his main speaking point for a few years. I also know he's a big fan of yours and he has no problem borrowing from the best.

Now I know where he got this idea! I was like waitaminute!

Invaluable!

I really appreciate that outlook.

Fiona

Yeah!!! Pursuing perfection!!!!!!

This is a lot like knowing what is essential and saying no to everything else. Except "Hell Yeah!" is a lot more fun to say than "essential."

Hell yeah!

I think we all would love to "Hell Yes" but life has a lot of compromises. After all, we don't live in a vacuum and must consider others into the equation! While I agree in principle with this article, realistically not very doable!

Hell, yeah! Great post! Mediocrity is such a necessary thing to avoid in order to lead a happy (fulfilling) life.

perfect---I have used dads cow story. When
He beat cows why it would not give milk.
Good Evil will not mix---up or down---wrong
Or right---very simple

Derek,
I was sitting across from a gentleman who was mastering a cd of mine. I told him of an agent who seemed tepid. I've been doing this music stuff for my entire life and have had some notable successes. When I described my dilemma, Chris (master-er) quoted you. Hell yes or no. I loved it. I thought, why am I accepting this...if the guy doesn't get it, move on. It is so much cleaner to handle things this way. In short...thank you. david barrett

Great to hear from you again! Important message. Saying yes means, at the same time unsaid no to something else. Always been a fan of no as the only way to get anything done.

Keep on growing and sharing. You are always inspiring.

Derek,
You got me thinking and I know what the answer will be.
Thanks for thinking for me,

Ernie

I remember (sort of) when this first hit my email. I remember reading it thinking it was a cool concept, but I must have been in a decent place then. But now? Man, I wish I could go back and commit to this concept! I may not be so overwhelmed and overcommitted! My marriage is even suffering because of it and I don't know how to back out of commitments. It's going to be tough. But, If I stick with this I won't get myself any deeper than I should.

Thanks for this, and thanks for bringing it up in your recent post, Say no to everything else. sive.rs/no2

Cheers, friend!

My thoughts about this as expressed on Daniel Pink's Facebook page:
+++++
Dan: I love ya man but, this is THE MOST USELESS PIECE OF JUNK THINKING I'VE EVEN SEEN COMING FROM YOUR ACCOUNT AND ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR NAME. Period. As for me, I STRONGLY say "YES!!" to "Yes" and NO to "HELL YEAH!" (Not because of you or Derek Sivers, personally, but, rather, to the utter weakness of the concept. Derek Sivers' "HELL YEAH!" is not one bit stronger than a strong person's "YES!" .... #YEScipes YEScipes​

What a relief reading your article was. There are so many instances in life, where I can see I make decisions to do things, based on the expectations of others. I advise my kids to do otherwise on all occasions and don't follow my own advise.
Love, love, love with a "HELL YEAH", that so am now going to be more clear with the NO! 👊

Great Article, lots of timely advice. Something we all need to be reminded of

Hell Yeah!:)

Right on!

Absolutely true.I have expieriens in relationship.Finaly,it was painfull,but now i know,it was HELL NO.My boyfriend was first,who sayd it.But it was true.

Perfectly expressed.

Withdrawing from many time-sucks to just focus on what's awesome.

Thanks Derek.

Dear Derek,
Thanks for this beautiful article. A perfect way to decision making.

I feel great when I say: "YES...and I am in awe of what you are offering me and the work is not the perfect fit for me. I bet I know someone that it's perfect for. Lemme introduce you."
OR - It is amazing when I check my "Know Meter" - I simply KNOW it is the right thing or fit because the work matters to me.
Love what you are up to Derek...keep truckin'!
Lois in Denver! ENFJ

HELL YEAH! Nothing more to say!

Loved your interview with Tim Ferriss!

It was VERY entertaining, thank you sir

It´s Like Peter Thiel Zero to One book, investors are following your thoughts, they are looking for the "Hell Yeah" proyects, and that´s how we shoud focus our lifes, Go big or Go home, if i have to spend 5 meetings to convince an investor 2 options, he´s not the right one or my idea suck´s, if i change the structure on my pitch, because i know this idea will rock the world, they allways stay with me, if they don´t see in my eyes that it´s a hell yeah proyect for me they will neves invest.
thanks to clarify to share with investors.

Been on the fence for school and my 2 jobs, what an awesome article to find! Thanks!!

Derek,

Great thought. I heard on Tim Ferriss podcast this week. Great session. This thought certainly resonated with me. Look forward to hearing you back on another episode in the future.

Best,
Greg

The transition is the hardest part. Your dreams don't include, "I feel like I am becoming more "successful" (fulfilling part of dream) now so I have to cut things off and say no to things that seem counterintuitive, but just aren't right for me anymore". - freaking hard part.

Do you feel like the "hell yeah / no" approach would have prevented you from taking your first music gig that led you to the circus, etc?

Or, more generally, do you think that approach could close you off to unexpected good things down the road? I'd love to hear your thoughts...

(just listened to you on the tim ferriss show - one of my favorite episodes)

The first sentence says that this is a strategy for those who are over-committed. In other words: drowning in opportunities. At a different time in your career, when you are looking for opportunities, this is the wrong strategy. (In those times you should say yes to everything.) — Derek

First, let me say I like your blog and congratulate you about it.
Then, this point of view seems very useful in a "big picture of my life" kind of way. It is a very practical philosophy, I'll have it in mind from now on.

I have similar system.
One of Angela's rules in my success journal states: "Do ONLY Cool Things"

That helps to avoid all the stuff I'm neutral about and do ONLY things I'm super excited about. Like a kid in a toy store.

HELL YEAH! Best advice I've gotten in a long time. I have done a lot of volunteering and pursued a number of careers. Going forward, this is a great litmus test for all types of projects.

I would like to reference you, with acknowledgment, for one of my blogs. May I have your permission? Thank you!
Yep! Just email me: derek@sive.rs — Derek

Its so funny, I don't know how I got wind of this philisiphy but I heard you on the Tim Ferris show and I was wanting to implement this very thing in to my life. Its kind of my mantra for 2016. But Its interesting that this is think can exisit when the book, "my year of yes" is out and doing so well. I think that it is a balence that one needs to strike. if your plate is too full try the "Hell Yes or No" method, If your life is stale and unexciting try the "yes to everything" method.

Great! So glad you wrote this. I hope it gets shared by many, many people. We don't live our lives completely like this, but we're pretty close. It can be difficult at first because we're so trained to say yes out of obligation, or to be polite. But what you find is that your personal happiness and quality of life go WAY up and WAY cooler opportunities begin to present themselves. Thank you!

I used to get email from you but it has been awhile. It all started after my trip to South Africa in 2008 and you sent me some recipes! Is that right? Anyway, I enjoyed this article very much. Hell Yeah!

Deb

Hell yeah..
Thank you I really enjoyed your atricle....we are not promised tomorrow...I have been so fortunate to be able to live life not just go through the motions...most have no idea they are not living life ....

I regardless of my family were taking a gander at the best information from your web blog then an extensive bit of the sudden I had a staggering suspicion I never conveyed noteworthy thankfulness to the webpage proprietor for those techniques. The all inclusive community had been so ardent to examine through each one of them and starting now have completely been taking delight in those things. We respect you truly being extraordinary obliging and after that for settling on collections of dazzling zones endless are genuinely needing to appreciate about. My own particular novel guaranteed propitiatory suppositions for not granting important appreciation to sooner.
Falcon PC

Great perspective. I just shared it on my blog and in my newsletter. Thanks for recounting it on the Tim Ferriss show, where I heard it! Just two weeks ago, Tim announced he's holding his first ever live podcast event here in L.A. and the email about it came with one week's notice. I had to think fast about whether to buy a ticket at all, and at that, whether to get the regular or one of the only 25 VIP seats. I pretty much used this method to decide quickly to POUNCE on a VIP seat. Good on me: the event completely sold out in one hour. Hurray for Hell Yeahs! :)

I understand this to...its got to be a hell yeh or no...if it's not a hell yeh and you go against it eventually it turns to a no ...intuitive living.. saving all the unnecessary emotions all round.

i re-read this one all the time, derek. thanks, man.

Love it. Having been in the sales industry since college, I noticed I'd become to quick to say "yes" in my personal life and it ate up a lot of my time and had at places I felt resentful for being at. I'm working now to say "no" more often and realize my time is whats most important (and of course those of my loved ones).
Thanks Derek
- The Swedish Meatball

Hi Derek Sivers,
I think that You would like to know The " Hell Yeah" You should understand what is culture from them before you tell them hell yeah.
Comment
TUONG

It is so refreshing to read the very essence of one's personal experiences.
You are enriching life of many.

This awesome I plan on using it

My take away here is to be more discerning and inspired about my life and choices. Raise the bar. Go next level. Be accountable for myself. Take inventory. It occurs to me as well that with the right attitude, some of my 5s magically become 1s all by themselves.

I can see why this is a popular blog for you Derek! This deals with something I can relate to daily as my Voice Acting biz grows more worldwide each month. I am not a cheap talent and never settle for cheap work. I quite stubbornly adhere to what I believe I'm worth. Which means saying NO to work that is unsuitable because of budget, subject matter, client attitude or other criteria. This use of discretion has positioned me within my industry and built... and is further strengthening... my brand. You nailed it here!

very well written. Thank you, Derek. I especially loved the part about changing the 5,6,7 and 8s to 1.
Expecting that, because of your article, it will be much easier for me to get out of overwhelm now

Wow!

I have been living and sharing this concept since January. It has changed my life and I am more effective in all that I do. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Tonight when my head hits the pillow , I'll review the day. I'll ask myself did I do the best I could with this day? I'll sleep well knowing the answer was " hell yeah!!". Thank you

I first heard you mention this on the Tim Ferriss podcast - though I believe you didn't use "Hell Yeah" - it was a tad more attention getting!

Regardless - love the concept. I'm staring at a few options and some of them are definite HELL YEAH others are meh (they become 1/No).

BUT - what do you do with one that is almost a HELL YEAH and it just needs some tweaking to fall into the HELL YEAH camp? It's on a razor's edge of falling either way - NO or HELL YEAH. Any tips?

Thx Derek!
I first "bumped" into your work on the genius TED Talk you gave on how to create a movement. I still show it to people. So, thanks for that.
Why am I writing you? you ask...
Oh yah... i founded a corporate wellness business ten years ago (we offer wellness services to make employees health - yoga to conferences and chair massage, etc) and I am kinda embarrassed to say it has never been a "hell yeah".
Tomorrow, for my 39th b-day, I have given myself a deadline to make a decision to keep Organik, my company, alive or gently let it go and move on. I have tried to close it down about 50 times. It has been quite the battle bringing wellness into the workplace especially through the Great Recession. I will spare the details.
I wonder if using your "Hell yeah" strategy here is a good move. What do you think?
PLEASE NOTE: You have about 24 hours to respond or this message will decompose into Organik fertilizer. lol
Merci beaucoup,
Scott from Montréal

beorganik.ca

Hell yeah I want to have coffee with you in New York. I'll be there this weekend, June 10-12. I'm staying at the W Hotel in midtown.

Where do you want to meet?

It's hard to say whether this works as well in relationships. Sometimes I say no to opportunities (either by not pursuing an interaction any further, or stop things after a few dates) and I think, sheesh saved some time there, and other times I think, maybe I should have pushed through that 'meh' feeling to see what could have happened.

Well said! Hell yeah! I like your conciseness, and whitespace, getting it said clearly and quickly and still readable and holding your attention. Well done.

See also: http://markmanson.net/fuck-yes

Thank you, really! I'm at the point in my life when everything is possible, if I just find the Hell Yeah! I don't have to work anymore, I'm single, a sculptor, but NYC is my No, haha. So I've been tarrying on moving because I've been trying to think 'rationally' about where to move, lists and reading, blah, blah and I now just want to go until someplace just is a Big Hell Yeah!
I was very off with sculpture lately, then tonight I put clay on my shoes and it was a big H-Y and I felt-I'm baaaaack! I decided I just want to have fun, make art, look good. Of course that does mean I work out, am disciplined and have to get my ass out of Greenpoint to socialize, or be on a plane. So THANK YOU muchly. Betty from Brooklyn

I think this is a useful approach for certain things but not life in general.
It is good to follow what makes you feel good about yourself and the situation (whatever that is) but it is not always possible to embrace this (hell yes! / No) perspective.
I don't particularly believe that is healthy to understand life in terms of black or white since our days are full of greys and different shades.

It's awesome to learn how to distinguish good from bad but this vision, even if it looks amazing and it's useful to a certain extent, I believe it also provides with a partial and not very healthy approach to life.

What happens if we don't find the "hell yeah!" in any given situation?
What is the plan B if plan A is "hell yeah!? A 'No"?

There is something missing here and I think a more rounded vision of events and ourselves is what we need.

Thank you for your contributions to a better world. It is amazing to find people like you.
See /switch — Derek

Hi !

I partially agree with you. This could serve in plenty of situations indeed. And I will surely apply it during the coming days/weeks/months, and see how it works for me.

But... in some others, a few distinct situations where you simply want to answer "yes" et not "hell yeah", you could just give it a try and do it anyway. Why ? Because sometimes, the appetite comes with the eating as they say.

Who wrote this first, you, or Mark Manson?
Me. He quotes me in his article and links to this page. — Derek

I can appreciate your point of view and certainly the certainty and urgency of saying HELL YES - or NO! However, for me I so often RESIST life and SAY NO to just about everything that when I say YES and go that party or the networking event or dinner I dreaded going to I usually a) have a great time, b) meet someone I would never would have guessed would have been at such an event, c) grateful to get out of the comfort of my "box"

I have plenty of free time, but as I get older, I find I prefer spending it with close friends, even alone, rather than people who are inauthentic. I would drive hours to have an hour with my son. He's a hell yeah! But definitely skipping the 30 year college reunion.
Enjoyed this much. Have some thinking to do.
Thanks Mr. Derek.

In the world of ever increasing access....to EVERYTHING, it falls upon the individual to prioritize their energy. I am a firm believer in your approach and have been an active practitioner for years. You find that the choices you make inspire a certain commitment and zeal, and therefore are more rewarding and successful. You also notice that saying "no" does not elicit the negative connotation that you may expect. Better to do a few thing passionately than many things complacently.

Derek - thanks a lot. I'll use this over the next few weeks and hopefully give you some feedback on how it worked. I'm at a crossroad of my career right now and need to make some decisions so this will come in very handy.

Hahaha, a hell of a good heuristic!

I use it all the time, actually.

Thank you for bringing it here.

Maite Inglés
mociona.upplication.com

HELL YEAH....

I fully agree ! I know when it's a HELL YES for me. Whether for colleges, friends, boyfriends, activities I love, etc. But what about the times when it's not a HELL YES, & I don't see a HELL YES in the horizon? If I do live life fully with a hell yes approach, doesn't that negate the in-between friends, or the in-between activities that might turn up with something good? Or the times I think something might be bad but I give it a try & it turns into a hell yes? Mostly, I wonder about the times there is no Hell Yes, & if we just say no, what are we left with?

I know my husband loves me and is very present 8n my life, but he treats me like I'm 5, especially after we lost our son to suicide 3 yrs ago. Reminding me to take showers, trying to encourage me to go back to my nursing job, all the time. Even thou I've told him I hate it. Also reminding to do things. Most of the time I feel invalid. I tell him to stop but he says well ur forgetful or this is what u need to be do8ng. I know living me is most difficult, but I'm tired out feeling incapable of making decisions or thinking for myself and always asking him. He is kind and gentle and loving, but I feel tired.

Very nice. Would help me in decision making and eliminating not so strong options. Thank you.

Heaven's YES

Love this post, Derek! One of my coaching colleagues and I always had this motto, "Anything other than 'absolutely' is 'No'," and it's stuck ever since. Thanks for the reminder.

Catch my HuffPo blogs at: http://huff.to/2cLB288

Cheers!
Michael

This post has continued to pop-up in my mind since first reading it in 2009.

Most recently, it popped-up this morning.

I was deciding whether or not to call in for an open mic spot at The Comedy Store -- something I've done off and on over the years.

Remembering this post, I decided not to call. I just wasn't feeling the "HELL YEAH!" in my gut.

Thanks for (once again) saving me precious time that can now be spent doing other things...

Like sitting on my couch.

I heard your rule on the Tim Ferriss show a while ago. I've got a job offer on the table right now, I actually need to response soonish.

It has some pros - new experience and exposure to execs, but at the cost of more time away from my family and potentially burnt bridges with a fantastic manager (he has no idea I'm thinking of moving)

Does the rule apply?
Not really. This rule is mainly for narrowing down options when you're overwhelmed with too many. Sorry! — Derek

I love heallyeah but it mudvayne doesn't make a reunion tour I the next 5 years I have lost all faith in life. They are the epitome of my childhood and need to reconcile to solve all of metal music demands

100% agree, people are always asking me 'what have you planned for the weekend?' My reply is usually 'nothing', we rarely arrange anything, we get up early in the morning, look at the weather and then decide what to do with complete freedom as we have agreed to meet no-one, anywhere, at any time. Same with people - we disconnect with those where we are underwhelmed by spending time with them.

People forget - waste an hour of your time doing something luke-warm - its gone for ever.

I agree with that concept 100 percent!

Ever since I heard the hell yes or hell no on Tim's podcast I've referred to it when my sister, a friend or anyone else I love can't make up their mind.

So 2 days ago my sister was ubering a lovely girl she picked up in the morning who was confused if she likes this guy or not and if she should stay or leave. My sister told her to listen to her gut to which she replied that she could convince her gut otherwise and confuse herself.

So my sister, without ever hearing a podcast of yours or reading any article of yours blurted out, "Is it a hell yes or a hell no?" And immediately her customer knew the answer.

The stories that you write or speak of not only effect the listeners or readers but changes the lives of their loves ones and their Uber customers. :)

That could be a really good tactic! I've become the epitome of laziness these days! 33 years old, wife left, took my kids with her when they all bawled to live with me & not with her. (I'm not implying they don't love their mom or that she's a bad mom, we all make some stupid parenting errors at some point), then I get hit with Chronic Pancreatitis with horrible flare ups. Diverticulitis and peptic ulcers as well. I could go on forever here, but I'll try to make it quick. (horrible, uncurable disease, which is ranked #6 on the top 10 most excruciating human conditions. So I have daily pain as well due to my pancreas. Even lost 70 pounds in 4 weeks while starved at the hospital not allowed to eat or have a sip of water or some ice chips. 27 days without eating or drinking a thing! *OK, so I did reach the point one time where I went "walking" The halls of the hospital to stretch out a little, & I "ACCIDENTALLY" drank their box full of little coffee creamers. I'm weak lol... that was probably around 20 days without ingesting anything. A tube dumped nutrients into my heart so I wasn't actually being starved! But try convincing your stomach of that. I was never allowed anything in my belly so my stomach, period. So my stomach made me feel like I'm starving. Ahhh, memories eh? 😎

I have so much respect for you. Thanks for doing everything that you do.

A) Just starting out? Say “yes” to everything
B) Once you have some success: if it’s not a “hell, yes!” it’s a “no.”

These two conditions added, which you talked about on the Tim Ferriss Show are so powerful.

I find this message so important that I pontificated a little more on my blog!

This is a total fantasy and what keep people believing in unicorns.
You are an intelligent man, Derek and know life is not about extremes.
What happens with being practical and doing certain things that are not "hell yeah!" just because you have to: pay bills, feed your family etc - and you really don't have many "hell yeah" options.

This is a very upper - high middle class perspective (guessing you make a living out of this blog puts you in a very different place compared to other people that can't even afford the idea of asking themselves this question)
Nothing wrong with it and we all deserve the best, is just childish, like pretending to fall in love with a person the first time you meet them.
Same story - unicorns / fantasy world.

The rest of us live in the real world, trying to find a balance between responsibilities, happiness, wellbeing, caring for ourselves and others and making a positive contribution to the world.

I just can't go to visit my mentee (who is a displaced teenager living with a foster family) and say to him - if life is not "hell yeah!" then you have to choose something else.

You always have to choose what's best for you - no doubts about this, but from a place of being an adult not a child who doesn't understand the concept of balance between polarities and only lives in the place of "perfect land".
We need to grow up.

I love the flip side, too! There are many things in our lives that we can point to that started out as a "umm, sure, I don't see why not" that turned out awesome.

Both theories work together.

Did you get this idea from Alan H Cohens book release in 2002 called Why Your Life Sucks and What to do About it? On page 51 of that book he says "Act when you are ready. Wait until you have come to a decision that works for you. If it's not a "Hell, yes!" it's a "Hell no!"
Really? No. Never heard of it before. How cool! — Derek

I cant manage my time i am going to newspaper distributing 5 to 9 after job in 10 to 6.30 so hiw can i manage time for study

Love this so much!!! It makes perfect sense and a whole other perspective on everything. Even relationships.

That's beautiful- really spending your time with what matters.

I agreed with you jim

I like it. Thanks for permission to say NO!

Slowly beginning to understand the importance of myself to me by saying 'no' instead of 'hell yeah'...

I'm 76. I've said hell, no to about every damned request ever made to me. Even those made by my kids. I've too much to do, always have had it that way. I'm also AD/HD. So mostly my being busy is time spent trying to figure out why I started this before I finished that. My damned kids got counseling and take drugs. I didn't do either. Somehow I'm happy, but it fucking drives me crazy. And my kids aren't any happier than I am. Although they do have their meds and weed, so they're sorta placated (I think, but I digress). That's life, ain't it. Never what you think it is, never what you totally want. Next person that asks if I can do something, I'm gonna' say Hell yeah! and see what happens.

ok, but if you say hell yeah..you have to follow through.

@Judson yeah lol, that's the point...

I like people who are helpful and caring. When a person or people don't want you around?what does that tell you. I want to be there, but not GET in trouble. I like these people. To be there. When I want to be there, but I wonder can I?

I’ve read 300 comments so far and I’d like to address the duty vs. “Heall Yeah!” quandary.

My husband was a leader, had very fixed opinions and was the life of the party. He had a joy in life that was boundless and infectious. If he did not want to do something, he fought tooth and nail to not do it. He would get in shouting matches with insurance agents over the phone because they wanted him to cut his lawn and he did not want to cut it! They would threaten to drop his insurance and he would argue with them for months and years I think, switching many insurance companies until he found one that would not make him mow his grass. (It got to almost 6 feet tall.) Then when we got married I mowed the grass.

And he was like that about everything. He was in many bands but he refused to go to band practices. He was always the lead singer, the front man, guitarist and piano player. Anyway, after many years with him what I saw was that if he absolutely could not avoid some duty or obligation— he MADE that duty or obligation fun. He found some way to enjoy himself while performing that duty- and I don’t mean he plastered on a fake smile and gritted his teeth and endured it, I mean he found some way to make that duty fun for himself! Because his life was all about enjoyment. He simply refused to do anything grudgingly, with a scowl. Never! He would never allow that to happen to him.

He hated going grocery shopping, so much so that he used to “shop” at gas stations Haha. But sometimes I would whine and whine until he would go grocery shopping with me to a real store. So finally he would give in- but then he would go through the store and talk to people and joke with them and make them smile and laugh- the grocery store would become just another stage for him. And then when we were done and leaving the store, he would turn to me with a huge smile on his face and say “Wasn’t that fun!” And he was serious!

So what I’m saying is that if you have put yourself in a position where you have duties or obligations or have made promises- well look- either say “Hell yeah!” and find a way to enjoy them, even though they are a duty, or... don’t do them! I’m talking to myself here as much as anyone else.

As often happens, some commenters have a near-sighted, fixed, no-sense-of-proportion view of what they "read."
Maybe some have a vested interest in being contrary, but I think most truly don't get it. How sad.

I don't remember who said it—maybe Yoda—but I would remind people, for any of Derek's posts, that, as Derek plainly knows, "Only a Sith believes in absolutes."

Wanna explore this topic ore deeply?
A life changing book is The Power of a Positive No by Wm Ury:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/99401.The_Power_of_a_Positive_No

This book immediately helped me negotiate with others in an intense hobby of mine - and also at work! He helps you get to know by first identifying your "Hell Yeah!" :)

Hell Yeah!

We rediscovered this after some years and it still ring true. We'll showcase this in our next team build at http://marzipanmedia.com.au

hell yeah... I love this. thanks again for the reminder. I've noticed the heaviness I feel about offers or things and have started to really feel the response in my body to take on anything my body and heart feel completely joyous about. I used this to start weeding out things that I don't feel 'hell yeah' about. I feel much greater about myself and life and have more joy in life too..
Thanks Derek for pointing out the simple fact about life

Some commenters object to the word hell. One person didn't like saying damn, either.

As I see it, back when every family owned a Holy Bible, certain words of fearsome power were used by. believers to signify their commitment. To me, even today, the words still signify dropping all your baggage and committing to the one task before you.

"Damn the torpedoes, we're going in!" (From the time of Revolutionary War against King George III) and

We won't wimp out on getting that cattle herd to the railhead, even crossing rivers with no bridges...
"Come hell or high water." (From the Victorian age)

Hello Derek,

I wonder if there is a correlation between people (with a normal I.Q. and normal ears) who are hearing challenged and those who are reading comprehension challenged. I am sure the barriers to reading are internal.

Feedback:
I don't want you to put your opening sentence with the word if in capitals, IF, because that sort of shouting punishes we proper readers who pay attention.

Perhaps, instead, a line enclosed in brackets that starts with a line to signal proper readers to ignore it, as in
(Needless to say, this rule does not apply if you are not over-committed and not too scattered)

If "readers" still don't comprehend, well, sometimes you have to ignore them and the horse they rode in on.

wasn't it Steve Jobs who said he was as proud of the things he said "no" to as well as "yes" ??

this applies not just to famous, well recognised people, but well, everybody. especially with the past twenty years of internet: there are so many opportunities, so many things to join, so many things to learn, so many things to watch, so much information overload. it's plausible that one could read every single book in a smaller library, yet there is no way one could watch even .01% of just the *good* videos on youtube or vimeo.

eclectic randomness has its own intrinsic value. answering an offer of coffee or drinks with someone with "why not?" can pay off in unexpected ways. yet the outer world will just take over your life if you let it, whether online or in person. "Say 'YES' to less" indeed!

Hell Yeah!!!

I've read this a number of times. It's such a great reminder!

Derek hi!

If I don’t do this right now after I had just finished your book, I probably never will, so here I go:)

My comment on your book is: wow!

You are most likely nothing like the “successful” people Inhave come acrossed thus far. I am (a kickboxer, motorcyclist, salsa dancer and) a 29yrs old lawyer who is currently unemployed due to the obligation of passing my bar exam. I read Miracle Morning a couple of months ago, trying to find my peace / way after a break up with my girlfriend. Have you read it? Well it made sense to me, that I should read more often so regardless of the tone of statutes and laws I have to study I read books like yours to remind me why am I doing this in the first place...however your book even helped me to realize that I need to start my own company of fun mixed with business. However I am not sure what it is. I am very creative and I also love making decisions. I am cut out to be a manager I believe. But I feel frustrated on a daisy basis, since I work in a bank as an in-house lawyer. Screw that!

I am a salesman people say, but I am not sure what to sell. So I was thinking about dedicating my career to be a sports agent, since I am also an athlete (thus combining legal knowledge with selling talet s). Anyway you would help me the most if you knew anybody successful in that area of work...not sure if I will be getting back from you, but if I do, please note, that I will be fine either way and you are still the king.

Greetings from Slovenia, Ljubljana :)

Best regards, Uros

Love it ! For an overcommitted en super enthusiastic person like me it is the way out of numberous tasks and requests I get all the time. Either private or at work, such a simple method that must work for me.
Thanks
Love from Kirsten (NL)

Job fuck yes

Hell yeah!

Not sure I agree with this...
Many times I have been invited to a party or dinner where I really didn't feel like going - or the guest list just didn't excite me. To keep my significant other happy, I went along and ended up having a great time - if I went with the "Hell Yeah/No" approach, I probably would have not gone and sat home in my comfort zone doing nothing.
If we say 'NO" to all the things we didn't feel super excited about, we would do almost nothing and miss out on some great things. You don't always know whats a "Hell Yeah" experience til you try.. like asking out someone on a date, meeting new friends, going to a concert for a band you don't know.
Yes, you can't do everything but throwing the baby out with the bathwater isn't a solution either. Life is not always super efficient and not everything turns out great. Sometimes you have to just put yourself out there and take a risk and learn from it.

This is one of the most useful pieces of advice and information I have ever read. I cannot begin to tell you that if I knew about this and thought about this as a decision making process before it would have saved me countless hours of aggravation and substantial regret. I'm moving forward I always do and I learn from the best but this is excellent piece of information head device to live by.

Derek, I just listened to your interview with Tim Ferris. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom. After, I shared with my 13-year-old daughter your "Hell yeah!" guideline. She asked, "what about obligations?" (to family, friends, etc.) I'd love to be able to share you answer to that question if you have a few minutes to reply.
Thanks!
John
This is just a tool to be used for specific situations of making decisions when overwhelmed. It's not meant to be applied to all of life. Other measures may override it. — Derek

No no no and if u want to take any action you just dial 911

I must say that the length of your article just came as an answer to my blockage on writing on my own blog :))) Just do it ! LOL

Saying yes to one thing means saying no to another opportunity.

This is quite exciting, will like to explore more about the subject, dear.
I guess,that will make me more effective and proactive in performance.
Thanks,dear Divers !

Nice article and such, but how do we get enrolled to receive that money??

I really appreciate this explanation.

I look back at my life; I am in my early 20's. I cant say I have wasted the last five years of my life because I definitely have made progress and have learned a lot; however, I think I would be much further in life than that of where I am today. When looking back, with the lens of "Hell yeah or no," I see how much time, money, energy etc. I have wasted and thrown away. I will definitely correct this!

I would like you to know that you have influenced my life for the better, you have assisted me in my journey of life. I do not know if you believe in God, but I respectfully submit the following comment, May God Bless you and thank you.

Hello, Derek,

I wanted to thank you for sharing with us your thoughts.
Your writting is fascinating!

Hello Derek,
Hope you doing well and staying safe.
Just wanted to say ‘Hello’ as I recently got introduced to your book Hell yeah or no
Can’t wait to start reading.

Thank you
Sarita

This is so true!! The requests that I say yes to leaves little room to achieve my goals. I love this concept to take care of things you say Hell yeah to be in integrity and passion!

This has been the story of the last couple of years being overcommitted to things and experiencing meltdowns.

Kind regards!

Problem is 99.99% of the my decisions are not HELL YEAH! E.g. I've been nomadic for years now -- I have a problem with commitment. I can't decide on where to live. If I say no to everything, I'd be homeless. The more no's I say in this scenario, the worse my housing/location options become.

It's an amazing feeling, as rare as it is, when I make a HELL YES decision.

Still relevant today. :D

I lead so many clients to this site when I give them this quote, it has served me, as well as my clients, very, very, very well. thank you
Thanks Charli! — Derek

My friend Jeremiah says "Nothing less than phenomenal", aka "Hell Yeah"
Also, amazing narrative and deep voice!

Thanks. This helped me decide wether to jump in a business partnership or go solo. Had been thinking about this for months 😁

Wow, nice insight.

What if I don't say "Hell yeah" to anything? Should I say "no" to everything? Yes, I am over-commited and scattered, since I'm 16 years old.

Following this rule, I wouldn't have finished school, never marry, never get children, perhaps never get a job.

Now, at least I make 70k a year and I can live. With the "hell yeah" rule, I should quit my job. But what should I do instead? There are no "Hell yeah" jobs, at least I don't see any.

HELL YEAH I am not good at English. My thoughts are to find a way where I can make a call in Arabic where it will be easy for my caller to talk to me and I will be able to understand him.

This is brilliant. I was thinking of starting a new project I'm very excited about. This is what I needed to hear to actually decide to do it.

This Book Gives you so much advice ! My head Is Spinning into circle so marvelous. Please write another book Like this

Great filter :) !!!!

I think this is the most important advice on whole internet.
I recently made mistake because I did what kind of yes thing. Even walking to do that I was regretting but was to shy to cancel appointment.

Result: 1000 USD loss and river of tears few weeks every day.

It's more like saying no to unnecessary attachments.
Very useful for people-pleasing

Hello Derek,

I have a problem and it is my nature I can not say "No" to someone, I am a student, and whenever someone approaches or needs something even though that is not more important than my reading or my studies I still leave everything and go with the person, But Now I have got something exciting and it is {Hell yeah!} It is interesting as it sounds like
Thanks Man

This article gave me a better perspective on making choices/ decision that would cost me time, energy, health and 'peace'. Thanks a lot Derek, and also, thank you to Jade, who put a link to this article in her newsletter.

Cursor IDE with Opus 4.5 found this for me, and I fucking needed it. A reminder of important words from a friend from a past life. I needed to HEAR it, so thank you for that recording.

This have a great value, the power to say no it is so important in all the situation across the life because when you say yes or no at instant you put to the other people the limit that you want it.

I'm from India. Not working, even after completing Bachelor's of Engineering(Computer) in 2024. Don't know what to write ! but one thing, Let me try this to Whatever comes my way.

Thanks Derek.

Thank you so much for this Derek.