Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person

In order to follow through on her commitment to saying “yes” to the opportunities that come her way, Rhimes must first identify the fears that prevent her from saying yes in the first place, then discover ways to combat these fears. As she examines the factors that hold her back in each particular situation, she identifies a number of worries and concerns. Many are rooted in the perception that others will judge her harshly, think less of her, or view her as incompetent. These worries about other people impact Rhimes in both her professional relationships and her personal ones. Rhimes has found ways of coping with her fears that involve avoiding them: For example, she becomes anxious and experiences physical symptoms of panic when she imagines herself saying “yes” to a public speaking engagement. She fears that she may embarrass herself and that these actions will never be forgotten by her audience. At its heart, this and other fears are rooted in a lack of self-confidence and an unwillingness to step outside of her comfort zone and risk the worst-case scenario coming true. By avoiding parties, events, and other activities, Rhimes retreats to her home and inside of herself, feeling safe and protected.