GROW for coaching and problem solving (live role play)

Summary

In this conversation, Brandon discusses his struggle with time management, feeling overwhelmed by his tendency to say yes to everything. He seeks advice on how to maintain his helpful nature without burning out. The goal is to find a balance where he can still say yes to requests, but with clearer boundaries, such as extending deadlines or delegating tasks. Brandon explores strategies to prevent resentment and improve his ability to manage responsibilities effectively, ultimately gaining confidence in implementing these changes.

Takeaways

• 🧩 The speaker feels overwhelmed because they say yes to every request and struggle with time management.
• 🤝 They have a strong desire to be a helpful resource for others, which makes it hard for them to decline requests.
• 😟 They fear that saying no will cause people to stop approaching them for support.
• ⚖️ This pattern is causing them to become spread too thin and increasingly resentful.
• 🎯 Their goal is to find a way to say 'yes, but…' or 'yes, and…' to set healthier expectations or timelines.
• 🗓️ They want to remain helpful while also negotiating more realistic deadlines.
• 📉 The current approach is unsustainable, leading to emotional strain and potential burnout.
• 🔄 One possible strategy discussed is delegating tasks when appropriate.
• ⏳ Another option is to extend timelines by proposing more realistic delivery dates.
• 💬 They consider going back to people they already committed to and renegotiating deadlines.
• 💡 The conversation encourages testing these strategies to see what works best.
• 👍 The speaker expresses confidence that they can implement at least one strategy right away.

Q & A

Why is the person feeling overwhelmed in the conversation?

The person feels overwhelmed because they have a tendency to say 'yes' to everything that comes their way. This has led to a time management issue, where they're struggling to meet deadlines and are worried about disappointing others.

What is the person's main goal in this situation?

The person's main goal is to continue being helpful and available as a resource to others but to manage their time more effectively. They want to learn how to say 'yes' while also setting realistic expectations, such as offering to extend deadlines.

Why is the person afraid of saying 'no' to others?

They fear that saying 'no' will lead to people stopping to come to them for help or resources. There's a concern about damaging relationships by not being available.

What strategies does the person consider to address their time management issues?

They consider delegating tasks to someone else, so they can still say 'yes' but without being overwhelmed. They also think about extending deadlines, offering more realistic timelines (e.g., saying 'in two weeks' rather than 'in a few days').

What is the person currently experiencing in terms of their workload?

They are feeling spread too thin, which has led to resentment. The workload is piling up, and they're unable to manage everything in the time available.

What is the level of confidence the person has in implementing a solution right away?

The person feels confident that they can try extending deadlines and communicating more clearly with others about when they can deliver. They believe it's something they can implement immediately.

What does the person mean by 'yes and maybe we can extend the deadline'?

The person wants to say 'yes' to requests but with a clear boundary. By suggesting an extended deadline, they can still meet others' needs without overcommitting or underdelivering.

How does the person feel about the possibility of delegating tasks?

The person sees delegating tasks as an ideal solution. If they could delegate, they would feel more comfortable saying 'yes' to requests and then deciding if they should handle the task or pass it along.

What is the underlying issue that the person is trying to address?

The underlying issue is the person's difficulty in managing their time and commitments, which has led to stress and frustration. They want to balance helping others with maintaining control over their own workload.

What potential consequences does the person anticipate if they don't change their current approach?

The person anticipates burnout, resentment, and possibly letting others down if they don't manage their time and expectations better. There's also a fear that not meeting deadlines could damage relationships.