Yes: The Most Powerful Word In the English Language

The impact it has on our lives when used to its full potential.

The three YESes that changed my Life

When I became a Merchant Mariner, I had to go through training at the SIU’s school in Piney Point, Maryland. An idyllic place nestled at the mouth of the St. Mary and Potomac River. It stands as a launching ground for the true backbone of American international trade: Unlicensed sailors.

We don’t get the glory that the Officers do, but we do the work. We keep the rust at bay, the food on the table, and the engines clean and running on the ships that move the world.

This story takes place during my second trip to Piney Point. My first trip was to get all the necessary documents to become a Merchant Mariner; on my second trip, I completed the chief cook certification.

I was among 30 students, give or take, in the Chief Cook class, all of whom had varying degrees of experience.

On my first ship prior to this, I served as the Steward, which is the highest position on the ship in the galley. I became the Steward because the other Stewards quit the “low paying” job, I told the Captain I could do the job, and he gave me the shot. I put “” around low paying because it was the best money I had ever made. I cleared 82k that year cooking for 15 people.

One of the things I did to mentally prepare for my time at Piney Point this second trip was to practice the mantra,

“Just say yes.”

My theory was, if I say yes, people will keep asking me for things. Eventually, they will ask me for something that is advantageous for me.

Yes #1

One day during the first week of school, the director came to me and asked me to help him prepare a menu for the school’s training ship. I was honored to be considered and immediately said yes. I began working on the menu right away, and a few days later, he came to me and apologized, saying that one of the instructors would take on that responsibility. He thanked me for my willingness. I was a little upset for not getting the opportunity to shine, but I just smiled and thanked him for the consideration.

Yes #2

About a week later, they had an off-site catering event that all the instructors needed to attend. The head chef instructor came to me and said he needed someone to help close the galley at the school that day. I was upset; they had asked two other students to go to the event. This would have been much more fun. I said yes, as it was an honor that they trusted me to take on that responsibility.

The yes that changed my life

Five weeks into the 12-week program, one of the instructors came to me and said the port agent here is looking for a steward for a Cable Ship. He told them I am the only person at the school he thinks can do the job.

The instructor that said this to me worked on this ship for a few years and understood the complexity of the job. He said he didn’t believe any of the current Steward students were capable of the job, and even though I was just a Chief Cook, he felt confident in recommending me for the position.

Imagine a 70-man crew, 4 meals a day, 24-hour operations, and port calls sometimes 3–4 months apart. The logistics of an operation like that are advanced. It’s like operating a hotel/restaurant that is at full occupancy with only one delivery every 3 months. It was an honor that he considered and recommended me.

A few days later, the port agent came to me and said that I was recommended for the job. He asked me if I was interested.

I said yes.

Week 6 of my 12-week program, the school let me sit down and take all of the tests for each unit. I passed them easily (I am a CIA grad).

They sent me home to pack my bags, and a week later, I flew back to Maryland to join the ship in Baltimore.

My first month at sea on the Global Sentinel, I made $18,000 and the highest paying month on the Sentinel I made $22,000 dollars!

These three yeses changed my life.

I spent the next 3 years sailing on the Global Sentinel. I was onboard during Covid. We were in a dystopian quarantine situation that I am sure will make its own great story when the inspiration hits me.

This was my first time to ever truly make life-changing money, and if I would have said “No” to any of the mundane, no glory tasks asked of me at the school, it would have never happened.

So think twice when someone asks you a yes or no question. Because as soon as you say “no,”

they stop asking

If you would like to learn more about how to become a US Merchant Mariner please visit my blog

Thank you for reading this and Smooth Seas!