Say yes 90% of the time
Summary
A straphanger with a wildly optimistic worldview shares his philosophy: say yes 90% of the time. It's led him to sing in a National Opera Company (he demonstrates with a scream), teach public school, and perform in a Broadway show. When Kareem pushes back on the negativity of saying no, the rider doubles down, arguing that too much negativity floats around already, especially from the news cycle. His sunny disposition traces back to being adopted at birth. His mom told him he was special, that they chose him. Now he's got a 30-year-old daughter and 27-year-old son, and Kelsey's getting married in a couple weeks. His parting advice? Get off your phone and touch some grass.
Full Transcript
So, what's your take? Say yes 90% of the time.
100% agree.
Cool. [laughter] And you know why?
Why?
'Cuz it leads to opportunities.
But I've heard people say there's power in saying no.
Yeah, well that's the 10%. You know, like you want to make sure you're careful about what you say yes to, obviously. But yes is very positive and leads to things like singing in opera company.
Did you sing in opera company?
Yeah, yeah. National Opera Company. Want to hear a little bit?
Yeah.
[screaming]
That's beautiful.
Thanks. So, where else have you gone because of saying yes?
Yes to teaching public school.
Yeah. That was cool.
Yes to being in a Broadway show.
So, you're an optimistic guy.
I am, yeah.
What do you say to the Mr. Grumpys out there that are like, "Ah, I don't want to say yes. I'm too lazy."
That's way too much negativity floating around all the time, you know? It's just like and it's easy to fall into that because of what you see on the news.
Yeah. So, that plays on your mind. And you think, "Oh, the whole world's going to hell in a handbasket."
Yeah, you know, this is just this is awful.
So, you just want to stay positive.
Yeah, I think I've always been that way.
How do you keep such a positive outlook on life?
I was adopted when I was born and I always liked that story 'cuz my mom said, you know, you're really special and we chose you to be with us.
I feel the need in their life. They feel the need in my life. You know, they wanted children, they couldn't have children and so I was their son.
That's beautiful. And it was great, exactly.
What do you do for fun?
I like to get outside in nature.
Yeah.
Touch a little grass.
Yeah. You know, that's for sure. And be with my kids, you know, I I got married later in life. So, my I was 30-year-old daughter and a 27-year-old son and my daughter's getting married actually in a couple of weeks.
Oh, great. Congratulations to that.
Yeah. Congratulations, Kelsey.
[laughter]
Give the people a motivational speech.
Get off your phone, get outside, touch some grass, enjoy nature.