You Can’t Complain

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes, 50 seconds

If your dream is to feast, don’t grumble when your plate is full.

Overwhelm often comes with ambition.

Before you complain, ask: did I want this?

Portion control also applies to your life, not just your diet.

Here’s an illustration to help you understand this principle more:

If you find yourself struggling with everything on your plate, it could be because you have too much on your plate.

Here’s a saying from one of the most quoted individuals of all time:

We’re encouraged to chase leadership, mastery, and success — but they carry weight.

Responsibility isn’t punishment; it’s part of the prize.

If you asked for the crown, expect the crown to be heavy.

If you asked for a feast, don’t be surprised when there’s a lot on your plate.

Big goals come with big responsibilities — that’s the nature of a feast.

But sometimes, we say yes to too much without realising what it costs.

We want the success, the impact, the growth… and then feel buried by the weight of it all.

Don’t worry if this sounds familiar - many people go through this experience, myself included.

It’s okay to want more. But wisdom is knowing your limits — and learning how to fill your plate with things that you can actually manage.

To avoid falling into this trap and protect yourself from overwhelm, here are 3 tips you can implement today:

1. Define your diet before you serve your portion.

   Before saying yes, ask: Is this aligned with what I actually want?

   Not every opportunity is meant for you.

   Decide what “enough” looks like in advance.

2. Schedule margin like it matters.

   Leave space between commitments.

   Just like when you know that you’re going to want space for pudding.

   Rest, reflection, and flexibility shouldn’t be luxuries — they’re what make your load sustainable.

3. Check your appetite regularly.

   Seasons change. What felt exciting last month might feel draining now.

   Reevaluate your commitments often, and don’t be afraid to step back when things feel full.

   This isn’t about shrinking your dreams — it’s about serving them in portions you can actually enjoy.

Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:

• What are all the things ‘on my plate’ at the moment?

• Which parts of my full plate are nourishing, and which will leave me feeling overwhelmed?

• Do I feel in a position to slow down and savour what’s on my plate?

Want to learn more about journaling? Join Journal Wiser today!

The Dip by Seth Godin

There will be times where we need to dig deep and push through a project to get to a more manageable workload.

This book is a powerful short read about knowing when to push through hard things — and when to quit.

It helps to clarify whether a challenge is a necessary part of growth or a detour from your true goals.

If you have any feedback on the WISER Newsletter, I would love to hear it! Simply reply to this email, and I will get back to you. Alternatively, just DM me on social media.

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Catch you in the next issue!

Thanks,
Michael