Understanding Trade-Offs: Why Every "Yes" Is a "No" to Something Else
Have you ever said "yes" to something... only to feel totally drained or stressed afterward?
You’re not alone. One of the most powerful (but often overlooked) truths in life is this:
Every “yes” is also a “no.”
When we choose one thing, we’re unconsciously trading off something else — whether it’s time, energy, money, or alignment with our values.
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.”
— Michael Porter, Harvard Business School
💡 Why Decisions Feel So Heavy (And Stressful)
The average adult makes about 35,000 decisions per day, according to researchers at Cornell. That’s a lot of mental processing. Most of them are small and automatic — but when the big ones stack up, they start to take a toll.
That toll is called decision fatigue, and it’s very real. A famous study in PNAS found that judges were more likely to deny parole later in the day, not based on facts — but because they were mentally drained. That shows how fatigue impacts even our most important decisions.
When we’re exhausted or unclear, we often:
Say “yes” just to avoid guilt or conflict
Delay making decisions, which adds stress
Default to “busy” over “intentional”
🧭 Values = Your Built-In Compass
One reason decisions feel so overwhelming is because we’re disconnected from what matters most: our values.
That’s why one of the first things we explore in coaching is a Values Assessment. This simple but powerful tool helps you:
Get clear on what actually matters to you
Identify where you may be out of alignment
Set priorities with confidence instead of guilt
Because when your values are clear, your yeses become intentional — and your nos become empowered 💬
“Most of us lead busy but undisciplined lives. We have ever-expanding ‘to-do’ lists, but no ‘stop doing’ list.”
— Jim Collins, Good to Great
As part of our coaching process, we’ll help you build both:
A To-Do List that aligns with your values
A Stop Doing List that frees up energy for what matters
🔧 Tools We Use to Support Better Decision-Making
Coaching isn’t about telling you what to do. It’s about helping you build the muscle of meta-thinking so you can lead your own life more intentionally.
We use tools and frameworks like:
✅ PAIN/GAIN Model – Clarify short-term discomfort vs. long-term payoff
✅ Meta Thinking – Observe how you think, not just what you think
✅ Energy Leadership Index™ – Understand how you show up in different areas of life
✅ Decision Filters – Simple prompts to help you make aligned choices quickly
Because where focus goes, energy flows ⚡
💬 Why Coaching Is Different
Here’s something we hear all the time:
“Talking to my coach is the only time I feel like someone’s truly in my corner.”
That’s because coaching creates something rare in today’s world: Pure support, with no hidden agenda.
Unlike friends, coworkers, or parents, your coach is trained to:
See what others miss 👀
Say what others won’t 💬
Focus only on your growth 💪
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need space to think clearly and courage to act.
🌱 Want to See Where Your Energy Should Go?
Let’s build a life you’re proud to say “yes” to — and just as proud to say “no” for.
🎯 Ready to work with a coach?
👉 Book your free 15-minute Discovery Call
✨ Try our Free Well-Being Blueprint Quiz → menjivarcoaching.com
Takes less than 60 seconds. No email required. No strings attached.
