Say Yes To Less

Overwhelm and Overcommitment

What are you planning to do after reading this? Perhaps you need to work, get groceries, handle some bureaucracy, help a friend, pursue personal goals, fix that thing that’s been broken for weeks, or maybe even all of the above. Especially now when a new year has just started and promises of "new year new me" have been pilling up, it’s no wonder we often feel overwhelmed, like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Even if the days were twice as long, it might still not feel like enough to clear our endless to-do lists.

The commitments we juggle - to ourselves, to friends, to our partners, and to the lifestyles we aspire to create - can easily become overwhelming. This constant pressure leaves us frustrated or, worse, guilty for failing to meet our own expectations and those of others. The feeling of not doing enough, of not being enough, becomes an ever-present shadow.

Do Less to Achieve More

The truth is simple and unavoidable: there will never be enough time. As long as we fail to set boundaries and say no, we’ll remain trapped in the cycle of trying to do it all. And while doing it all might sound admirable, in reality, “all” includes both the significant and the trivial. Our time is limited, we must learn to be selective.

​Saying no is about more than refusing requests - it’s about choosing what to focus on. Saying yes to less allows us to devote our energy to what truly matters, making meaningful progress on priorities instead of getting stuck in the endless churn of busyness. By doing less, we can ultimately achieve more.

Saying no is hard, especially to ourselves. Our dreams are endless and our time so limited, but this is precisely why we need to narrow down, to prioritize what we spend time on, and have the strength to say no to the trivial. When you know what's important to you and why, it's easier to say no to the rest.

Actionable Tips to Simplify and Prioritize

1. Audit your commitments:
   1. Make a list of everything currently on your plate. Identify which commitments align with your core values and goals.
   2. Highlight tasks that can be postponed, delegated, or removed entirely.
2. Set boundaries:
   1. Practice saying "no" to new commitments that don’t align with your priorities.
   2. Communicate openly with others about adjusting expectations to manage your workload realistically.
3. Focus deeply:
   1. Choose one or two high-priority tasks to focus on each day. Channel your energy into these instead of spreading yourself thin.
4. Let go of guilt:
   1. Remind yourself that doing less is not failure - it’s a strategic choice to dedicate your best efforts to what truly matters.

The Takeaway

Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a signal to reassess and refocus. By doing less, you can free yourself from guilt, make meaningful progress, and give your best to the commitments that matter most.

Ask yourself

1. Imagine your life from scratch, commitment free. How would you feel? How will it be different?
2. Now when the slate is clean. Which commitments on your plate are the most meaningful to you?
3. What’s one promise or task you can let go of?
4. What’s one area of your life where you could set clearer boundaries to protect your time and energy?