In today’s fast-paced workplace, saying “yes” feels like the safest move. Yes to new projects. Yes to overtime. Yes to responsibilities outside your job description. For many professionals—especially those early in their careers or from underrepresented communities—the instinct to agree quickly can be rooted in gratitude, fear of missing opportunities, or pressure to prove oneself.
But while saying “yes” can open doors, doing it all the time can quietly undermine your growth, well-being, and lo