We’ve all been there. Someone reaches out with a last-minute request. You barely have enough time to take care of your basic needs, let alone add one more thing to your to-do list. Before they even complete their sentence, you know that you need to decline their impending request.
Yet, somehow, by the end of the conversation, you have reluctantly agreed to take on an additional responsibility. You get mad at yourself for caving in and not being true to yourself.
This scenario is not an isolated incident. People frequently come to you with requests for two main reasons. The first is you have a track record for getting the job done. As an achiever, you are reliable and have a strong work ethic. Can you blame them for approaching you? It makes no sense for them to approach someone who is less reliable, motivated, or productive than you.
The second reason is that you lack firm boundaries. It is human nature to pursue the path of least resistance. As a result, people are more likely to test their luck with you than with someone who is known to set firm boundaries.
Setting boundaries is an essential skill for anxiety management. Never saying no to others is a surefire way to end up spread too thin and overwhelmed. Constantly putting the needs of others ahead of your own is also a recipe for burnout and exhaustion.
If........