Avoid Burnout: The Power of Saying No and Identifying Your Kryptonite

We can learn a lot form superhero's and villains.  Even though they’re fictional characters, there’s a lot we can learn from them. Reflecting on my journey, I remembered a time when I was rewriting a book called "Wintality" and saying yes to everything. I had a fundamental fear that if I didn’t say yes, I’d be forgotten.

The Superman Complex

Like many of us, I developed anxiety trying to be everywhere all the time. I thought I had to be Superman, and if you’re like me, trying to be Superman or Wonder Woman day in and day out, you’ll inevitably burn out. I don’t want that for you. We need to learn to take the cape off and understand our limits.

Identifying Your Kryptonite

You need to identify your kryptonite. For me, it was saying yes to everything. In 2017, up until a couple of years ago, saying yes was killing me. I read "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown, which is a must-read. It taught me that saying no to more things gives you the time to examine your options and focus on what truly matters.

If it’s not an absolute yes, it has to be a definitive no. If you can’t 100% commit to something, don’t commit at all. When we say, "Let me think about it," we’re really saying, "I need to see if I have a better opportunity." Be honest with yourself and others. If you can’t commit, just say no.

Overcoming the Fear of Disappointing Others

Many of us overextend ourselves because we don’t want to hurt people’s feelings. But it’s at the detriment of ourselves. You’re likely stressed because you’ve taken on too much that doesn’t serve you.

We need to acknowledge our own hypocrisy. Are you doing things because you want to be Superman or because you want to be seen as Superman? Be honest about your motives. Sometimes the fakest thing you can do is pretend to be something you’re not, even if it’s something good.

Prioritize with Care

It’s important to prioritize others without prioritizing their priorities over yours. You can love and care for someone without taking on everything they throw at you. Understand your limits and be able to say no.

If you’re like me and saying yes is your kryptonite, you need to stop. Default to no unless you can fully commit. This will help you avoid burnout and give you the opportunity to focus on what truly matters.

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