You’re not the best, and you will never be—until you realize that your greatest rival is yourself.
We enter college life with high hopes, but in the middle of the journey, we often become frustrated. It seems that there is a big change of heart—a feeling of being a failure, a dilemma of one’s self-worth.
It is expected that as we say “yes” to more commitments, we also say “yes” to less time for ourselves, friends, and even family. Even though there is a thing called “time management,” the reality is that 24 hours a day is simply not enough.
Subsequently, you cannot perform at your best if you have not rested or eaten well. You cannot bring your A-game if you’re physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.
We probably had a long list of reasons for why we said “yes” to the call of service. Yet, when such commitments come at the cost of our health, have we ever really considered saying “no”?
Perhaps the thought has crossed our minds, but we have advocacies to fight for, visions to translate into reality, and constant aspirations of doing and being more.
However, this tendency is also where we start to fail and sabotage ourselves. This is when we forget the most important lesson of commitment—staying true to ourselves and the people around us.
If we continue to trap ourselves in this cycle, we will never grow. We will never be more. That is why we need to unlearn the belief that more commitments are equal to more excellence.
In reality, it’s the other way around—the more we take on, the more challenging and frustrating it all becomes. Yes, we might manage to juggle everything simultaneously, but for sure, it won’t be even close to being the best work we could ever do. Remember, we can do anything—but not everything all at once.
Truth be told, it takes just as much courage to say “no” as it does to say “yes,” and in order to fully thrive, less is often more. We usually perceive saying “no” as a sign of weakness or fear, but it actually reflects self-awareness. It means acknowledging our own limitations. Most importantly, it also recognizes the fact that overextending ourselves can dilute the quality of our work, our relationships, and most of all, our own well-being.
We need to recognize that excellence is not about how much we can do; it’s about how well we can focus on what truly matters.
In the context of leadership, the main challenge is how to balance all of our responsibilities. Being a good project manager is not enough. Knowing how to preside over meetings and present yourself in front of a crowd can be learned. It is a mix of various skill sets.
However, we are highly susceptible to thinking that we always know what the right thing to do is and that we are capable of doing it on our own. Instead of taking on every task, I would suggest that we guide the team and the members designated for the task.
Moreover, when we fail, we begin to resent and blame ourselves—and even others. This is the unlearning we need. We must realize that our worth isn’t defined by titles, the number of projects we handle, or how busy we appear to others. It’s found in our dedication to even the smallest actions that make a real impact.
Ultimately, our ability to step back and look at the bigger picture will help us grow. Unlearning these beliefs isn’t easy, especially in a world where busyness and chaotic multitasking are often glorified. Yet, unlearning is necessary.
In the end, every wrong decision we make can turn us into the kind of person we never wanted to become. If we hope to thrive in the long run, it’s not just about doing more–it’s about doing what truly matters, with intention and heart.
Lean C. Rosendo
4 BS Psychology minor in Education, a Financial-aid, DOST and GBSEALD Scholar
President of the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila and Sangguniang Kabataan Councilor
lean.rosendo@student.ateneo.edu
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @sileesileeee
Lean, a financial aid scholar and the current Sanggunian President, is a Psychology senior minoring in education who is set to graduate in 2025. In his commitment to service and magis, he envisions to be an educator for others and to passionately work with Indigenous communities.
