“Ask for forgiveness, not for permission.”

That’s a mantra my husband and I like to repeat to each other, particularly when talking about our respective creative endeavors. “Oops, I’m sorry, I didn’t know I couldn’t build a lifesize polar bear.” “Oops, I’m sorry I didn’t know I couldn’t take this photo here, there wasn’t a sign posted.”

Well, one of my cutest portraits (pictured for this post) is the outcome of one of those scenarios. And that lifesize polar bear? Well, it sold that surplus of faux sheepskin rugs (best sales in the US for several weeks thank you very much) and then led to a lifesize dinosaur that the store refused to let go extinct for 6 months longer than planned, and a larger-than-life yeti to advertise a winter sale. All three of which generated some serious word-of-mouth interest and increased visitation.

Now, I’m not telling you to go off and do anything dangerous. But, if you are anything like me, you may need a little nudge to realize not everything is just the end. Sometimes, it is the beginning of something else. Maybe even something amazing.

Do not be afraid to say yes to something, however big or small it seems. You don’t know what opportunity it will lead to down the road. If I hadn’t said yes to going back to retail after I’d been let go from the branding agency while on maternity leave, I wouldn’t have found my knack for experiential and 3-dimensional design. I wouldn’t have been given the chance to continue to grow my expertise in several areas of design and project management.

I wouldn’t have been that girl who built a lifesize polar bear when people looked at me a little crazy. (Not everyone I might add. Shoutout to the few who can believe the vision before they see it fully fleshed out.)

If you are contemplating a decision right now, don’t be afraid to say yes. No matter the short-term ramifications, it could change the rest of your journey in a way you can’t even fathom yet.

But, be sure to come back soon and read about why the power in saying no is equally as important - can’t wait to share it with you!