What are your non-negotiables?

“Can you handle it?”

A question that has been coming in and out of my mind lately came with a good dose of vulnerability and a reminder of the power of choice.

I've been riding a wave of incredible opportunities, the kind that make you feel like you’re on top of the world. But with every high comes the shadow of doubt, and I’ve found myself staring down an old fear:?

Am I setting myself up to spiral back into workaholism and my burnout cycle?

It’s a fear that sneaks up on you, especially when you’re someone who’s always pushing for more, striving to achieve the next big thing.?

The internal dialogue was strong my friends.

I was in a tug-of-war between facts and feelings. On one hand, there’s that creeping anxiety—“Am I about to overextend myself again?” On the other, there’s the truth that needs to be heard: I am in control.?

I have the power to say yes or no.?

The fear that I’ll slip back into burnout is just that—a feeling, not a fact.

It wasn’t easy coming to that realization. I had to sit with the discomfort, examine it, and ultimately remind myself of something fundamental: I am in charge of what I do or don’t do. It’s my decision to make, and no one else’s.

Here’s the thing, and something I challenge you to think about.

It’s not just about making a choice in the moment.?

It’s about setting yourself up for success by getting clear on your non-negotiables.?

Those are the lines you won’t cross, the commitments to yourself that safeguard your well-being.?

What are your non-negotiables? What are the boundaries that you need to put in place to protect yourself from burnout, even when the stakes are high, and the opportunities are dazzling??

These aren’t easy questions, but they’re necessary ones if you’re serious about achieving big without sacrificing your well-being.

If you know what your non-negotiables are, you can build your life around them in a way that brings equilibrium. It’s not just about working hard or chasing success; it’s about doing so in a way that keeps you grounded, healthy, and fulfilled.?

You can have both—you can achieve great things and still stay out of the burnout cycle. The key is in the choices you make, day in and day out.

Are you willing to hold the line on what matters most to you??

Are you ready to build a life that honors both your ambitions and your well-being??

If you ever want to share your non-negotiables for some accountability, I’m here.

Cheers to Growth!

Hillarie Kay

P.S. Want more steps on how to prevent/recover from burnout?? Grab a copy of my book, "The Burnout Recovery System".? It's 80 pages of actionable info to make sure you avoid your burnout cycle no matter what life throws your way.