How Saying Yes Too Much Is Costing You Money, Energy & Joy
Today, I want to share a story that might feel very familiar. It’s about the hidden cost of saying yes too often—the cost that drains your energy, erodes your joy, and quietly chips away at your business success.
You may remember the movie Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey, in which saying yes to everything leads to funny situations. Real life is not a comedy. Saying yes to every request, after-hours work, last-minute projects, or weekend meetings can have a different outcome. For one client of mine, it nearly broke her.
She was the quintessential “yes person.” Dedicated, caring, and deeply committed to her clients, she believed that you had to say yes to every ask to succeed in business. At first, it felt like great customer service. Over time, it started to feel like servitude. Instead of running her own business, she felt like a hundred bosses were demanding pieces of her time and energy.
Burnout crept in quietly and quickly. The passion that fueled her business dimmed, and she found herself exhausted with little to show for all those extra hours. The quality of her work slipped, creativity was in short supply, and her bank balance was shrinking despite the frantic pace.
This isn’t just one story. Nearly 35% of entrepreneurs face burnout, sometimes with devastating consequences. When my client reached that breaking point, she knew something had to change.
Together, we started to unravel what was happening beneath the surface. Saying yes all the time wasn’t just a habit; it was silently costing her health, joy, and business growth. It was time to reclaim her power by honouring the boundaries she already had but had long ignored.
She set firm working hours, marking 9 am to 5 pm in her diary and clearly communicating these hours to her clients. This felt radical at first. She was used to the adrenaline rush of being “always on,” constantly responding to emails and messages. To break that cycle, she turned off notifications during deep work time, giving herself the space to focus without distraction.
The hardest part was learning to say no, not just to projects that didn’t align with her values, but also to clients who no longer fit the business she wanted to build. Each no created space for a better yes, and soon, she began attracting clients who respected her boundaries and valued her work.
Along the way, journaling became her secret weapon. Writing down her progress helped her build self-trust and reminded her that she was worthy of protection and respect. Slowly but surely, her business and life shifted. Her energy returned, her creativity blossomed, and her bank account grew, not because she worked more hours, but because she worked smarter and with intention.
If you want to hear this story straight from me, with even more practical tips, watch my full YouTube video here:
👉 How Saying Yes Too Much Is Costing You Money, Energy & Joy
What’s more, neuroscience tells us that our brains already know these limits. Ignoring them floods our system with stress and self-doubt, while setting clear boundaries calms the nervous system, enables flow states, and strengthens authentic connections with clients. The result is a business run not out of chaos and sacrifice, but from clarity, confidence, and joy.
If this story resonates with you and you’re tired of burning out, overwhelmed by endless demands, or worried you’re sacrificing your wellbeing for your business, I invite you to join me for a special free live webinar called The Freedom Success Formula.
On Tuesday, June 17th, 2025, at 10:30 AM (SAST), I’ll share the exact framework that helped my client—and so many others—break free from burnout and build thriving businesses that honour their energy, values, and vision.
This webinar will show you how to stop the overwhelm, set boundaries that protect your time, attract clients who truly appreciate your work, and create consistent income without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Spots are limited and filling fast. If you’re ready to take this first step toward reclaiming your freedom and joy, secure your place now by clicking here:
👉 Reserve your spot for The Freedom Success Formula webinar
I truly believe this could be the turning point your business and life have been waiting for.
Before you go, I’d love to hear from you: What boundary are you ready to set this week? Just hit reply or leave a comment. Let’s keep this conversation going.
Much love,
tan!a xo
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