I wanted to share with you one of the most helpful ideas I’ve learned during my years of life coaching in NYC. That’s about the power of being a “yes” person.

I’m not talking about the traditional concept of a “yes-man,” which Merriam-Webster describes as “a person…who agrees with everything that someone says: a person who supports the opinions or ideas of someone else in order to earn that person’s approval.”

When we say “yes” to someone else to win approval and be liked, we’re often saying “no” to ourselves and what we really believe in. This is the antithesis of how we should start our New Year.

Instead, I’m talking about becoming the type of “yes” person who expects—and prepares for—good things to happen professionally and personally.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The idea behind this wisdom is that there’s no such thing as “luck” per se. Those who have prepared sufficiently are ready when an opportunity comes along, so they can grab it. Others may call them “lucky” or think that they get all the breaks. But in reality, such people create their own luck. They make themselves into a “yes” waiting to happen by greasing the wheels through careful planning and preparation.

Here are two strategies to start using in January that can make your whole year, and beyond, more positive and successful:

Notice the “No”

Even as a life coach, career coach, and executive coach, I often notice myself being a “no” waiting to happen. Instead of preparing to the best of my ability to position myself toward a certain goal, I’ll allow doubt or negativity to creep into my thoughts. This type of approach sets me up for failure and disappointment.

Fortunately, noticing our mindset is half the battle. If you can notice that you’re falling into bad habits when it comes to your thinking style, you can make efforts to turn it around quickly.

If you can become aware that you haven’t taken the necessary steps to become “lucky,” then you can change the game and spring into action. After noticing the “no,” I focus my efforts on becoming a yes person—and you can do the same.

Undo Your Survival Mechanism (Unless You Really Need It)

Did you ever wonder why your mind has the tendency to wander to the worst-case scenario rather than see the silver lining? It’s natural, unfortunately, due to our biology.

We’ve survived as a species largely due to our brain’s ability to be on the lookout for threats in our environment. Back in the Stone Age, this talent served us well by keeping us from becoming a snack to a predator.

While there are still real threats out there that we need to be aware of, many of the daily dramas we create in our minds at work or home are just simply not of that magnitude. If your brain’s hardwiring leads you to view every small obstacle as a disaster in the making, it can become a slippery slope leading to a “no” approach to life.

If you’re still not convinced, this article in Forbes details some of the many benefits that positivity can bring to your health and job performance. The message is clear: there’s nothing better you can do for your well-being than to become a “yes” waiting to happen.

Mark Strong is a Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in NYC. You can find more information at www.markstrongcoaching.com.