Being reliable = ?

Hey there,

Quick question: Does being the "go-to person" at work make you proud... or quietly exhausted?

If you chose exhausted, you're not alone. Today we're diving into why your greatest strength might be your biggest trap.

📊 BY THE NUMBERS

35% - How much more extra work highly conscientious people accept (Gallup, 2022)

22% - Higher cortisol levels in "reliable" employees (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2023)

65% - Professionals who report burnout symptoms from overcommitment

Translation: Being dependable is literally stressing you to death.

🚨 THE CONSCIENTIOUSNESS TRAP

Being the reliable one starts as your superpower. Managers trust you. Colleagues depend on you. Clients know you'll deliver.

But here's what nobody tells you: reliability becomes a magnet for endless requests.

The cycle looks like this:

→ You say yes to prove competence
→ People notice you never refuse
→ More requests flood in
→ You work longer to maintain quality
→ Burnout inevitable

Middle Eastern proverb: "He who chases two rabbits catches none."

💡 CASE STUDY: JENNIFER'S BREAKTHROUGH

The Problem: McKinsey associate working 12-hour days, perfectionist tendencies, refusing to delegate

The Solution: Manager introduced "satisficing" — aiming for "sufficient" instead of "perfect"

The Results:

• Delegated routine tasks to junior staff

• Rediscovered passion for strategic work

• Team capabilities expanded dramatically

• Work quality remained high with 40% less time investment

Key insight: Perfectionism often masks fear of losing control.

⚡ THE SATISFICING GAME-CHANGER

Before starting any task, ask:

"Does this need to be perfect, or is 'sufficient' enough to move things forward?"

80% of the time, sufficient wins.

Quick Satisficing Framework:

🎯 Essential: Client presentations, legal documents
✅ Sufficient: Internal reports, routine emails
⚠️ Danger zone: Spending 3 hours on slide formatting

🛡️ BOUNDARY BOOTCAMP

Physical Boundary Rituals:

Boundary Box 📦
Draw invisible square around yourself when receiving new requests. Pause. Assess actual urgency.

Delegation Wave 👋
Extend arm, visualize passing task to capable colleague. Feel the relief.

Release Pulse 💨
Hands on ribs, pulse outward while exhaling. Let go of perfectionist tension.

These micro-rituals rewire your automatic "yes" response.

🎯 YOUR STRATEGIC "NO" TOOLKIT

Template 1: Quality Protection

"I appreciate your confidence. To maintain quality on my current commitments, I'd suggest [alternative/timeline adjustment]. Would that work?"

Template 2: Yes If...

"Yes, I can handle this if we adjust my deadline for Project X. Which takes priority?"

Template 3: Delegation Opportunity

"This would be great development for [colleague]. I can oversee and provide feedback."

⚠️ BURNOUT WARNING SIGNS

• Lying awake mentally rehearsing tomorrow's tasks

• Compliments feeling hollow or undeserved

• Social plans cancelled for "urgent" work

• Increasing cynicism toward colleagues

• Energy crashes despite "succeeding"

Remember: These are danger signals, not productivity badges.

🏆 THE PAYOFF: SUSTAINABLE EXCELLENCE

When you escape the reliability trap:

✅ Higher impact work (instead of task completion)
✅ Team development through strategic delegation
✅ Preserved energy for creative thinking
✅ Better relationships (less hidden resentment)
✅ Career advancement through leadership skills

Counterintuitive truth: Strategic unavailability often increases your value.

⚡ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Pick ONE experiment:

1. Satisficing Test: Choose one project and stop at "sufficient"

2. Strategic No: Decline one non-essential request using the templates

3. Delegation Win: Hand off one small task with clear coaching

Track your energy levels before/after. Report back!

🙏 BEFORE YOU GO

Being conscientious is a superpower—until it becomes your kryptonite.

One final thought: You can't pour from an empty cup. Protecting your energy isn't selfish; it's strategic.

What boundary will you experiment with this week? Just hit reply and let me know.

Stay balanced,
Ivan

P.S. If this resonated, the share button is your friend. These insights work best when they spread.