NO AND YES

            “What you say no to defines your business more than what you say yes to.”  My mentor Allan Nation hammered that into me years ago and I’ve never forgotten it.  I’ve been wanting to do this blog for a long time so here it is:  the list of things I’ve never done.  This is not a bucket list; I have no desire to do any of this.  But it does illustrate a pattern that helps me say yes to other things.  Here goes.  I have never:

1.  Drunk a cup of coffee.

2.  Put on a pair of snow skis.

3.  Swung a golf club.

4.  Bought a lottery ticket.

5.  Gone to the bathroom on an airplane (even with 16 trips to Australia).

6.  Played a video game.

7.  Drunk a soft drink on an airplane.

8.  Owned a smart phone.

9.  Used an app.

10.  Taken a cruise ship vacation.

11.  Visited Disneyland or Disneyworld.

12.  Spent a dime in any foreign country (I’ve visited 20).

13.  Donated to a political campaign.

14.  Taken a true vacation.

15.  Bet in racing, sports, or casinos.

16.  Stood in line at Starbuck’s.

17.  Created a Facebook or Twitter account.

18.  Divorced—happily married at 42 years.

19.  Owned a television.

20.  Swum in the ocean.

            This “never” list gives me time to do other things.  And that has made all the difference.

            What one thing have you “never” that is a badge of honor rather than a regret?