Shift Your Mindset: Say Yes to the Life You’ve Been Avoiding

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from writing Humbled and Empowered, it’s that real change starts in the mind. Transformation begins when you decide to stop letting fear or doubt make your choices for you.

This week, I want you to look closely at how you talk to yourself. The “I can’t,” “I don’t have time,” and “I’m not ready” thoughts are often just habits. It’s time to shift your mindset and say yes to what’s possible.

Step 1: Shift Your Mindset

Start breaking out of limiting beliefs.

When you talk about your dreams or ideas, pretend that nothing is standing in your way. Imagine your current circumstances (financial, relational, or situational) do not exist.

What would you do if you could not fail? Who would you be?

Step 2: Identify Where You’ve Been Saying No

Think about the areas of your life where you’ve been saying no. These usually trace back to something called a limiting belief.

Maybe it’s your schedule:
“I don’t have time because I work too much.”
Try this: “I’m working on adjusting my schedule so I can make time for things that matter.”

Maybe it’s your relationships:
“I can’t participate because I don’t have a babysitter, and it’s hard to find someone I trust.”
Try this: “I’m looking for and building relationships that are safe for me and my family.”

Maybe it’s financial:
“I don’t have the money to go to lunch with friends every Sunday.”
Try this: “I’m budgeting for social events and looking for ways to earn extra income so I can enjoy time with friends.”

Maybe it’s health:
“I can’t exercise because I have chronic pain.”
Try this: “God designed my body to self-heal with the right fuel and movement, and I’m committed to finding what will strengthen and restore me.”

Or maybe it’s a knowledge gap:
“I don’t know how to do that.”
Try this: “I’m learning more about that and joining opportunities that will expand my skills.”

The way you talk to yourself shapes what you believe is possible and ultimately, what you will achieve.

Step 3: Watch Your Words

Notice how often you use words like “don’t,” “can’t,” or “won’t.” Replace them with words like “learning,” “developing,” or “working on.”

Small language changes create new habits in thinking. When you speak with intention, your actions start to follow.

Step 4: Say Yes to One Thing

Pick one thing this week that feels uncomfortable. It might be a project you’ve been avoiding, a conversation you’ve been putting off, or an opportunity that scares you.

Do it anyway.

Say yes, even if it’s going to be messy or you’re feeling uncertain.

My Experience

In Humbled and Empowered, I share a story that started with a simple email: “Are you available?”

At the time, I almost said no. I felt too busy and unqualified. But I said “yes” and that yes opened doors I didn’t expect.

And that wasn’t the only time I almost said no.

I almost said no to leading others because I didn’t feel ready.
I almost said no to writing a book that could help someone else heal because I was scared to be judged.
I almost said no to in-person activities where I built life-long connections because it was hard to find a babysitter.
I almost said no to creating a space for people to connect and grow together because I didn’t know how to do it, and I was afraid it might fail.

But I did it anyway. Messy. Unsure. Figuring it out as I went.

Each yes brought growth I couldn’t have planned for. Not perfection, just progress.

Sometimes all God needs is your willingness. Sometimes all he needs is for you to be available.

Reflection

Write down one area of your life where you’ve been saying no. Then write the new mindset beside it. Then write this affirmation on a sticky note and put it somewhere you will see it each day this week.