KB98 - "Yes Mode"

PRODUCTIVITY
Deciding When to Dive In and When to Step Back with my “Yes and No Mode”

Let’s face it… life’s a mess sometimes!

Half the time, you’re drowning in too many commitments and can’t find five minutes to breathe.

The other half, you’re staring at the wall, wondering if you’ve made any progress at all.

That’s why knowing when to be in Yes Mode or No Mode is a superpower.

So, What the Hell is “Yes Mode” and “No Mode”?

Picture this…

You’re at one of those Brazilian steakhouses, where they keep bringing meat to your table until you flip a little card from green to red.

In Yes Mode, your card’s green. You’re open for business.

You’re saying yes to new projects, new connections, new whatever.

Basically, you’re playing the “why not?” game with life.

• Every invitation is a potential opportunity.

• Every challenge is a new mountain to climb.

• You’re letting things in, expanding your world.

Then there’s No Mode.

Flip the card to red, and it’s game over.

• No new projects

• No extra coffee meetings

• No meaningless “networking” events.

In No Mode, you’re focused, intentional, and building what you want, not just chasing after whatever’s in front of you.

It’s all about boundaries!

Protecting your time like it’s the last piece of chocolate in the box.

Both modes have their upsides.

Both can also totally mess up your life if you overdo them.

So, let’s break it down…

Why Yes Mode is Awesome (Until it’s Not)

Yes Mode feels fantastic when you’re craving growth, adventure, or want to shake things up a little.

It’s a time to say, “screw it, let’s see what happens.”

Here’s why it works:

• It Expands Your Network: Say yes to that random lunch invite, and you might meet someone who becomes a friend, a mentor, or just someone who introduces you to your next big opportunity. Yes Mode is where the magic connections happen.

• It Brings New Experiences: Yes Mode is like spinning the roulette wheel of life. You never know what you’ll get, but it’s almost always something you’d never have tried otherwise. Bored? Stuck? Yes Mode is the antidote.

• It Creates Momentum: The more you say yes, the more things happen. It’s a numbers game. You throw yourself out there enough, and sooner or later, something’s going to click.

But…

(and this is a big but)

Yes Mode has a dark side.

It’s called over-commitment.

You say yes to everything, and suddenly, you’re booked out for six months and can’t remember the last time you had an hour to yourself.

Yes Mode can get you so busy that you lose sight of your priorities.

People-pleasers, I’m looking at you!

Eventually, Yes Mode leads to burnout (and not the cool, productive kind!)

Why No Mode is Awesome (Until it’s Not)

No Mode is where the real work gets done.

This is when you pull back, set some boundaries, and focus on what actually matters to you.

No Mode is where you stop reacting to every new thing and start making real progress on the things that count.

• It Protects Your Focus: When you say no to distractions, you create space to do deep work. It’s how you get big things done—whether that’s writing a book, building a business, or just taking care of yourself. No Mode lets you double down on what matters.

• It Builds Boundaries: Saying no is a superpower. It teaches you—and everyone around you—that your time is valuable. People who say no are people who get respect, period.

• It Shifts Quality Over Quantity: In No Mode, you’re not trying to be everywhere at once. You’re choosing where you show up and how you spend your energy. Fewer things, done better. It’s like life minimalism but without the weird obsession with white walls.

Of course, there’s a catch with No Mode too…

If you live here too long, you risk becoming a hermit who never tries anything new.

You say no to everything, and eventually, you stop growing.

It’s comfortable, sure, but you’ll stagnate.

Too much No Mode is a recipe for missed opportunities.

So… How Do You Find the Right Balance?

The trick isn’t to pick one mode and stick to it.

It’s to know when you need each one. Here’s how to figure it out…

• Check Your Vibes: Feeling bored, stuck, or uninspired? That’s a Yes Mode situation. You need fresh energy and new inputs. Overwhelmed, spread thin, or ready to scream at your calendar? That’s a No Mode moment. Reclaim your precious time.

• Get Clear on Your Goals: Before you say yes to anything, ask yourself: does this align with my goals? I’m a big fan of “Yes Sprints”—periods where I just say yes to anything that fits my growth objectives. Then I’ll switch to No Mode to actually execute on the commitments I made. Yes gets you in the door; No lets you build the house.

• Be Brutally Honest: Are you avoiding new things because you’re just too comfortable? Or are you taking on too much because you don’t know how to say no? Self-awareness here is key. Look at your habits, look at your life, and call yourself out when you need to.

• Experiment: If you’re really not sure, try it out. Spend 30 days in Yes Mode, say yes to as much as possible, and see what happens. Then try 30 days in No Mode and see how it changes your focus and productivity. The only way to know what works for you is to try both and see what sticks.

Yes Mode and No Mode aren’t “good” or “bad.” They’re just tools.

The secret is to use them intentionally, not as default settings.

When you’re clear about what you want, you get to control the balance between saying yes and saying no.

So, next time you’re hit with an opportunity or a demand, ask yourself..

does this fit the mode I’m in right now?

And if it doesn’t, have the guts to stick to the mode you chose.

The power lies in making each decision purposefully and sticking with that choice!

Always remember this…

Nobody else is going to set your boundaries for you.

That’s your job!