Saying Yes to Everything Is Killing You in More Ways Than You Think

Be honest.

When was the last time you said “no” at work?

If you can’t remember, it is not a good sign.

Everyone loves a “yes-person” - the one who is always available, always willing to take on more, always putting others first.

It feels nice to be wanted. But at what cost?

Being a yes-person leads to burnout, resentment, and career stagnation (yup).

If you want to own your damn career and your time, you have to start saying no.

What are the non-obvious things on why saying yes isn’t good?

1. You dilute your value. When you are spread too thin, your work suffers. You are less effective, less focused, and less impactful. You will feel overwhelmed all the time.

2. You lose control of your time. Every time you say yes to something that doesn’t align with your goals, you are missing out on time you could be spending on something you care about.

3. You become resentful. This is the worst. It will change how you perceive work, your co-workers, and your life.

4. You miss out on bigger opportunities. By filling your time with low-impact tasks, you are missing out on the chance to focus on the big-picture projects you want.

Let me be clear. Saying no is not about being difficult or uncooperative.

It is about prioritizing your time and energy on what truly matters to you.

Here is how I would start:

1. Know your priorities. You need to understand your goals. This way you can see which tasks will have the biggest impact to you reaching the goals. When you know what matters most, it becomes easier to say no to everything else.

2. Assess the request. Ask yourself if it aligns with your goals. Is it the best use of your time? WIll it help you grow? Be picky.

3. Be firm but polite. It doesn’t have to be confrontational. Be direct and respectful. Can also give them other options.

4. Delegate and offer alternatives. If you can’t say yes and also can’t say no, try to find someone else to pick it up.

5. Practice and stay consistent. There is no going around this. People will start to respect your boundaries and over time, may even follow your lead. Sounds like a true leader to me.

Say yes to yourself for once. Be selfish. It is your life. It is your career.

Stop helping others with theirs. Help yourself.

Yes be selfish,

Mary