I’ve started to notice how common it is for young people to be overworked without question. In the third and final installment of the series: Shifting Your Mindset: Productivity & Mental Health, I will be sharing what may be the most important lesson I have learned so far in my life as a young person. That lesson is this: it is okay to say “No.” Focusing on a few key projects that you are passionate about can be more effective than spreading yourself too thin. It can be as simple as prioritizing quality over quantity!

In the second installment of the series Shifting Your Mindset: Productivity & Mental Health, I will be sharing what I have learned about setting goals and boundaries. I have found that when I set healthy boundaries with workload and personal life, I feel less stressed. It can be easier to concentrate on what is most important to both my short and long-term goals. This particular piece is a breakdown of possible scenarios you may find yourself in and possible solutions that could apply. I hope you are able to find something that benefits you!

As I have grown up and observed the world around me, I’ve noticed that our culture often pressures youth with expectations to get ahead and be successful. Because of that, overworking ourselves can easily become a major hurdle in maintaining our mental and physical health. Many young people believe we have to work tirelessly to be “Number 1” at everything we do to be considered worthy of praise and recognition. As a result, we are often rushing to do it all instead of taking our time to enjoy the process and recharge along the way.