Shonda Rhimes, the creative force behind mega hit shows like “Scandal” and “Grey's Anatomy,” is beloved for her ability to put powerful women on the small screen, but she has taken charge in her personal life as well.

Talking to NPR, the 45-year old writer and TV producer explained how she has recently taken control of her life by simply saying “yes.” Promoting her new memoir, “Year of Yes,” Rhimes linked her new world view to a conversation she had with a sibling.

"My oldest sister said to me, 'You never say yes to anything.' And by that she meant I never accept any invitations," explained Rhimes, who went on to detail how eventless her life had become.

"I never go anywhere. I never do anything. All I did was go to work and come home. And she was right. My life had gotten really small,” Rhimes said.

Upon realizing this about herself, the producer decided to make some serious changes.

“Anything that took me out of my comfort zone I was going to do it, if asked to do it."

Meanwhile, as reported in USA Today, Rhimes revealed that she has often found herself at odds with journalists who keep asking her why diversity seems to be so important for her TV projects.

For Rhimes, a great deal of the fulfillment from her work comes from her choice to place strong-minded female characters in tough situations.

“Part of what's been great for me in getting to write these characters and getting to have these shows is getting to explore these issues with these women,” she said. “I really wanted to have characters who were living these lives that we're all living; trying to do things [in unconventional] ways, because I know that we're all wanting to or attempting to.”