Say Yes & Figure it Out

I’m a joiner and a doer. Can you relate? Maybe we should start a support group for women like us, but I’m sure we’d over plan, over schedule and over program our meetings. That’s what we do. Maybe it’s how we’re wired or maybe it’s just a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out).

All joking aside, early in my career I adopted the philosophy “Say yes and figure it out.” This may sound a bit counterintuitive to a time-sensitive overcommitted society that we live in today. Just Google “How to Say No” and the number of books and blogs will go on for days. Famed television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes even devoted an entire year to saying no. But for me, saying yes – even in times where the position, the project, the opportunity was a stretch for my skills set or area of expertise, that’s where I’ve seen the most growth, both personally and professionally and seen some of the most rewards in my life.

Now, don’t get me wrong, by saying yes there can be significant challenges. Sometimes I have to spend countless additional hours doing research, understanding context, honing a skill or finding guidance from a mentor. It may not be easy, there may be a lot of heartache, frustration, and working harder than those around you, but on the other side, after I’ve “figured it out,” I have found so much reward in knowing that I can push myself, I am capable of learning new skills, and I have experience with a stronger breadth and depth.

I’ve spent most of my career in the communications and nonprofit fundraising realms. My “Say Yes Philosophy” has afforded me opportunities to travel to Israel and Palestine, create programs for strategic planning and member engagement, write a children’s book, and develop two departments for an organization that allowed for expanded services and more in the community to be served. I want you to hear something, so listen close. Are you ready? None of those opportunities were in my job descriptions. None. I’m certain none would have been offered to me if I hadn’t said yes to smaller opportunities leading up, said yes to a seat at the table, or said yes to being present. I said yes and I figured it out.

I hope you find ways to say yes. Learn and figure it out along the way. You may not get the opportunity to say yes again or you might miss the next amazing adventure ahead. As an added bonus, you can look back and see all you’ve accomplished, where you’ve left your mark, and how much you truly can push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

About the Author

Kristin Van Nort is AWC’s current National Chair. From her experiences of professional development, networking, leadership opportunities and even finding mentors and dear friendships, she encourages women to join AWC. As a member of the Oklahoma City Professional Chapter, Kristin has held numerous leadership roles, including president, treasurer, and Byliner Awards chair.

Kristin Van Nort has a love for the social service industry and believes that non-profit organizations are the key to making our communities stronger and healthier. In 2015, she was recognized as one of Oklahoma’s “Achievers Under 40.”

Kristin is currently the director of development at The CARE Center, Oklahoma County’s only child abuse advocacy organization. In this position she has created the organization’s fundraising program from the ground up, increased their community presence and strengthened their base of supporters.   She was previously the director of communications at The Oklahoma United Methodist Foundation, where she oversaw the organization’s communications and marketing efforts.

Kristin holds a Bachelors of Arts in Interpersonal Communications from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Liberal Arts in Leadership and Management from Oklahoma City University. She is a lifelong Oklahoma resident and in her free time enjoys reading and spending time with her family.