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Whatever Is On Your Plate Is There Because You Said Yes
“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.”
It’s a common complaint. A common excuse when someone needs to say no, or when they’re saying yes but trying to manage expectations. Having a lot on your plate is an indication of being busy, often overwhelmed, and simply not having the time, energy or resources to devote to another task, project, client, or other request.
The reality, however, is that having a lot on your plate is your own doing. And you can undo it, if you choose. It doesn’t have to be your go-to refrain when asked to do something, and it doesn’t have to give you that feeling of overwhelm.
You said yes
Everything that is on your plate is there because you said yes to it. You may have verbally or in writing said the actual word ‘yes.’ Or you may have just let someone pile something on you without saying a word — which is an indirect ‘yes.’ Or you might have said some variation of yes, such as ‘I’ll try’ or ‘Let me see what I can do’ or ‘I’m really busy, but maybe in a few weeks.’
However it came about, you said yes. You need to own that. If it’s on your plate, it’s there because of you.
You might be feeling right now like you need to justify why you said yes.
