Hell yeah or no

 

DALL-E

I've noticed a general shittiness from people at work about a proposed contract that was just negotiated for teachers.  

There are substantial raises for the next four years -- not life changing raises, but a steady increase that will help match cost increases from inflation.  My guess is that we will look back on this contract in future years as a very good contract that was made possible because both sides of the table wanted to get it done cooperatively before a new board election.

What I hear in the office is nit-picking about one or two issues that affect very few people directly and reflect a realignment of money and priorities.  There's no anger, no gloom and doom, but a general "well, it's going to pass, but I'm not very happy with it."  That line seems to gets nods of approval.... people think that kind of answer is thoughtful and knowing and considered.

It leaves everybody in. a gray and moderately disappointed, disgruntled mood.  Like you reach into the Fannie Mae box and someone has taken a bite out of each candy, leaving you nothing but the coconut-filled ones.

This makes me think of Emerson's idea of approaching life with enthusiasm and Derek Sivers' notion of "hell yeah or no."

From Derek Sivers:

Use this rule if you’re often over-committed or too scattered.

If you’re not saying “HELL YEAH!” about something, say no.

When deciding whether to do something, if you feel anything less than “Wow! That would be amazing! Absolutely! Hell yeah!” — then say no.

When you say no to most things, you leave room in your life to really throw yourself completely into that rare thing that makes you say “HELL YEAH!”

Every event you get invited to. Every request to start a new project. If you’re not saying “HELL YEAH!” about it, say no.

We’re all busy. We’ve all taken on too much. Saying yes to less is the way out.

But I'm also thinking this about our responses to stuff like negotiated contracts and life in general.