I am a good person and I refuse to help.

Being active on LinkedIn and sharing my path publicly attracts many people – most of it leads to collaboration or meaningful one-time exchanges. Some connections I struggle to nourish because the timing is bad.

And some I have to say No to.

Such as:

• Connect me to people you know from your previous role. 
• Give me an afternoon to be my pilot podcast guest while I figure out the strategy.
• Let’s have multiple meetings where you help me work through my research approach.

What these have in common: they’re asking for my time, expertise, and network without offering anything in return. Not collaboration. Not compensation. 

If my gut feelings where my boundaries are being tested, I’m learning to trust them and explain my point of view. Which is not easy – I am a people connector and genuinely love helping people. And when you are an employee – you have your OKRs and KPIs that help you navigate where to say No to. 

But when you’re independently building something, this becomes a real problem. Time is gold. Focus is gold. 

So I use the structure that I heard from one of Leila Hormozi’s videos: “I am a good person and…”. 

Time is the only thing I can’t get back. Setting boundaries isn’t closing doors. It’s making room for the right ones.

So here’s what I’m trying: “I am a good person and sometimes refuse to help.”

Try it. It helps.