Why ‘Professional Growth’ Is Just Code for More Responsibility You Don’t Need And Yet, We Keep Saying Yes.

“Why is it that every time we talk about ‘professional growth,’ I feel like I’m just signing up for more stress and less sleep?”

Sound familiar?

Let’s be honest. The promise of professional growth often feels like being handed a beautifully wrapped gift, only to open it and find more late nights, missed dinners, and a to-do list that seems to multiply like rabbits.

Yet, despite the anxiety-inducing workload, we still say yes. Why? because we’ve been conditioned to believe that growth is synonymous with more—more work, more responsibility, more sacrifice, well, sometimes not equal to more money.

But what if I told you that this narrative is flawed? What if professional growth could be something different? Something that doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle?

The Myth of ‘More Responsibility Equals Success’

In our hustle culture, professional growth is often a euphemism for taking on more tasks. The emails flood in with opportunities that sound amazing on paper but translate into more time away from the things that matter most—like reading a bedtime story to your kids or having a quiet dinner with your spouse.

As a working parent with five kids under the age of 10, including a newborn, I get it. The allure of climbing the corporate ladder is strong, but at what cost? The truth is, the higher you climb, the more you’re expected to handle. And while growth is essential, it’s not always about adding more plates to spin.

Redefining Professional Growth

Growth should be about evolving to align with your values and life goals. It doesn’t have to mean accepting every new responsibility thrown your way. Sometimes, it’s about learning to say no-no to the extra project that will take you away from family, no to the late-night meetings, and no to the endless cycle of burnout.

What if we started thinking about growth as deepening our expertise, refining our skills, or mentoring others rather than just adding more to our plate? What if growth was about quality over quantity? About working smarter, not harder?

Why We Keep Saying Yes

So, why do we keep saying yes? Often, it’s out of fear—fear of being seen as less committed, missing out on opportunities, or stagnating. But these fears are rooted in a flawed understanding of success. True success isn’t measured by the number of responsibilities you can shoulder but by the impact you make and the balance you maintain in your life.

As someone navigating the challenges of a demanding career while raising five young children, I’ve learned that saying yes to everything is a fast track to exhaustion. The real growth has come from learning to prioritise—knowing when to lean in and when to step back.

The Art of Saying No

Saying no doesn’t make you less ambitious or less capable. It makes you smart. It makes you someone who understands that growth isn’t just about climbing the ladder; it’s about deciding which ladders are worth climbing.

When you start saying no to what doesn’t serve your bigger picture, you make room for the things that do—like spending more time with your family, pursuing passions outside of work, or even just taking a breather.

A New Definition of Growth

So, let’s redefine professional growth. Let’s make it less about more responsibilities and more about meaningful responsibilities. Growth should be fulfilling, not draining. It should leave you energized, not exhausted.

And the next time someone offers you ‘growth,’ ask yourself—does this align with my values? Does this bring me closer to my life goals? If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to say no.

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to redefine what professional growth means for you, subscribe to my Working Parenting Newsletter on Substack. Let’s explore how to thrive in your career without sacrificing what matters most.

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