Being nice Quote by Derek Sivers
“For years, I'd say yes to almost everything, trying to be nice and generous. Feeling obliged to be of service to the world. Maybe also a fear of being forgotten if I don't. But I paid the ultimate price in doing that, because for all those years, I got almost no work done! Some famous authors have written about this: that if they said yes to every request, then they'd never have time to write another book again.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast with Derek Sivers, 2020
Overcommitting to please others leads to personal inefficiency and burnout.
In simple terms: Saying yes to everything harms productivity.
Key Takeaway
Set boundaries to protect your time.
Themes
productivity
boundaries
self‑care
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
personal development
When to use this quote
- work projects
- personal relationships
- volunteering
- creative pursuits
Key Concepts
opportunity cost
personal limits
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you identify which requests align with your priorities?
- What small step can you take to practice saying no?
A Different Perspective
Saying yes to everything can cause neglect of personal goals.
