In my estimation, when a new opportunity or responsiblity that will expand your leadership/influence/experience comes along you ought to give real serious thought to saying YES!
Most people don’t say yes because they’re already busy. I get this, I understand it, but I also know it’s a trap. Time management is not just filling your day and being efficient. It’s being effective, which is all about doing the RIGHT things. If you’re knee-jerk reaction is to say NO because you’re busy, then you’ll never be open to filling your days with more interesting and effective tasks.
Here’s what I know about saying YES
1. It Almost Always Means More Work Initially: At the very minimum, it stretches your brain because it’s not what you’ve done before and it requires more emotional energy. This alone shouldn’t be a reason to say NO.
2. It Forces You to STOP Something Else: I’m a big fan of making a list of things that you dont’ need to be doing anymore. We’re people of habit, that’s a good thing, but it also means we carry on with tasks, assignments, regularly scheduled events that don’t have meaning or purpose. When you add some new responsiblity/opportunity it’s a great time to evaluate: Do I need to be doing this anymore?
3. It Keeps You Young: My boys are forever asking me to do stuff that I’ve not done since I was a teenager. That’s great. It also means I pull a muscle every now and then. 
Fact is many of the reasons we say NO are rooted in just plain inflexibility. Stay mentally limber by saying YES to new challenges and opportunities.
