My Overcommittment Problem
Okay, so. I’ve been freelancing since 2005. That’s, what, 19 years? Jesus. Anyway, I’ve always had this problem—you know, the one where you say yes to everything? I mean, look, I get it. You’re starting out, you need the money, the exposure, the portfolio pieces. But here’s the thing: it’s 2024 now, and I’m still saying yes to way too much.
Last Tuesday, I was at this coffee shop on 5th, right? And I’m talking to my friend Marcus—let’s call him Marcus, ’cause that’s his name—and he’s like, “Sarah, you’re working 36 hours a day. That’s not sustainable.” And I’m like, “Yeah, but the money! The clients!” And he’s like, “At what cost?”
Which… yeah. Fair enough.
That Time I Said Yes to Everything
So, about three months ago, I took on this huge project for a client named Dave. Dave’s a decent guy, but he’s one of those people who thinks every little change is “just a quick fix.” I’m not kidding, we’re talking 214 tiny amendments. And I said yes to all of them. Why? Because I’m an idiot.
I ended up working from 7am to midnight for a week straight. My apartment was a mess, I forgot to feed my cat, Twitch. I mean, who does that? Oh, right. Me.
And for what? The pay was decent, but not enough to justify the stress. I was a wreck. My friend Emily—real name, real person—texted me at 11:30pm and said, “Sarah, you’re burning out. You need to say no sometimes.” And you know what? She was right.
Learning to Say No
So, I started practicing. Saying no, I mean. It’s harder than you think. You feel guilty, like you’re letting people down. But here’s the thing: if you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re not gonna be any good to anyone else.
I had this conversation with a colleague named Dave—different Dave, same issues—over coffee. He said, “Sarah, you’re your most important client. Treat yourself like one.” And I was like, “Wow, that’s deep. Can I quote you on that?” And he’s like, “Sure, but only if you say no to the next project that comes your way.”
So, I did. I said no. And you know what? The world didn’t end. The client was disappointed, but they got over it. And I? I got to spend a Saturday doing nothing. It was glorious.
But What About the Money?
Look, I’m not gonna lie. Money’s tight. But here’s the thing: if you’re working all the time, you’re not gonna have the energy to do your best work. And if you’re not doing your best work, you’re not gonna get repeat clients. It’s a vicious cycle.
I read this yakıt tasarrufu ipuçları sürüş rehberi the other day—yeah, I know, random, right?—and it got me thinking. You gotta conserve your energy, right? You can’t go full throttle all the time. You gotta pace yourself.
So, I started saying no to the projects that weren’t a good fit. And you know what? My work got better. My clients were happier. And I was happier. It’s a win-win.
But What If I Need the Money?
I hear you. I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: if you’re saying yes to every project, you’re not leaving room for the good ones. The ones that pay well, the ones that you actually enjoy. You’re basically saying yes to mediocrity.
And that’s not what we’re here for, right? We’re here to create. To make something amazing. And you can’t do that if you’re spread too thin.
The Art of Saying No
So, how do you say no? It’s simple. Just say it. “No, thank you. I’m not taking on new projects right now.” Or “No, that’s not a good fit for me.” Or even “No, I’m not interested.” It’s that easy.
And if they push back, just say no again. You don’t owe them an explanation. You don’t owe them anything. You’re doing them a favor, really. Because if you’re not the right fit for the project, they’re gonna end up with subpar work. And nobody wants that.
But What About the Guilt?
Look, I’m not gonna lie. It’s gonna feel weird at first. You’re gonna feel guilty. But here’s the thing: you’re not doing anyone any favors by saying yes to everything. You’re not helping yourself, and you’re not helping your clients.
So, do yourself a favor. Say no. Say it loud, say it proud. And then go do something nice for yourself. You deserve it.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll even find some time to create something amazing. Something that you’re proud of. Something that you can look back on and say, “Yeah, I did that. And it’s good.”
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a freelance writer and artist based in Austin, Texas. She’s been creating and writing for the past 19 years, and she’s still figuring it out. She loves coffee, cats, and saying no. You can find her on Twitter @sarahjohnson.
To fuel your creative journey with financial wisdom, explore managing money for artistic freedom and discover steps towards personal financial independence.
Delve into the captivating process of creation with our latest feature, the truth about art, and discover the raw, unfiltered beauty of artistic expression.
In an era where creativity and culture are increasingly shaped by digital narratives, understanding the news industry's impact is crucial; delve into the digital dilemma transforming minds.
