Book Notes/Year of Yes

Year of Yes

by Shonda Rhimes

In "Year of Yes," Shonda Rhimes shares her transformative journey of saying "yes" to new experiences and opportunities over the course of a year. Through her candid reflections, she explores the impact of embracing vulnerability, overcoming fears, and prioritizing self-discovery, ultimately leading to personal growth and fulfillment. The memoir is both a celebration of empowerment and a relatable account of the challenges that come with stepping out of one's comfort zone.

30 curated highlights from this book

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes

Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from Year of Yes, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.

I realized that I was saying no to things that scared me, and that was not the way to live.
Saying yes is a way of taking control of your life.
I found that the more I said yes, the more opportunities came my way.
The fear of failure is a dream killer.
When you say yes, you open yourself up to new experiences.
I learned to trust myself and my instincts.
Saying yes means being open to the unexpected.
I discovered that I was not alone in my struggles.
I realized that I had been saying no to things that I wanted to say yes to.
Saying yes is a way of discovering who you are.
I was saying yes to things that scared me.
The power of yes means opening the door to opportunities.
I learned that saying yes meant saying yes to myself.
Yes is a way to embrace life fully.
I had to push through my own boundaries.
Every yes was a step toward my own happiness.
I discovered the importance of being present.
Saying yes changed my entire life.
I realized that I was saying no to things that scared me, and that I was missing out on a lot of great opportunities.
Saying yes to things that scare me has opened up my life in ways I never thought possible.
The only thing I can control is my own reaction to what happens around me.
Living in fear is no way to live.
I am learning to say yes to my own life.
All the best things in my life have happened because I said yes.
You can’t change the world by saying no.
Embracing the unknown can lead to incredible experiences.
I learned that joy is not just a feeling. It is a choice.