How Obligation Steals More Time Than You Think (DQ Solo)

#149:

“What kills us isn’t one big thing,

but thousands of tiny obligations we can’t turn down

 for fear of disappointing others.”

• Alain de Botton

 

Those “thousands of tiny obligations” come in so many forms:

• Spending time with a person who energetically drains you
• Saying yes to a meeting you didn’t want to but its “only 20 minutes”
• Taking a call

 

Most of what we call “obligations” are not obligations at all.

 

In fact, the textbook definition of an “obligation” is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound.

 

Very few things in your life meet that standard.

 

In fact, most of what you call an obligation is an inability to say no for fear of:

• Disappointing others
• Dealing with blowback
• Losing others’ approval

 

In my new book, On Purpose Leadership, I talk about how the best leaders lead from their Greatest Energy – their unique source of power, inspiration and life force.

 

When you’re leading from obligation…you’re cut off from your Greatest Energy. Therefore, you can never lead from Purpose.

 

In today’s episode, I share a recent story of how I said yes to a 30 minute meeting – out of obligation – that ended up stealing two hours of my time…

 

…and how you can prevent the same from happening to you.  

 

-DQ

 

PS – Buy my new book On Purpose Leadership, email me the receipt, and I’ll send you a host of bonuses (worksheet exercises, guided meditations and other surprises to implement the teachings of the book).