Kindness matters.
One of the values I care most about is kindness.
Helping others and expecting nothing in return makes life better. It’s good for our mental health, good for the people around us and, frankly, it’s just the right thing to do.
But there’s a line.
And I think a lot of us cross it without realising.
Especially the people who always say yes.
The ones everyone relies on.
The ones who carry the responsibility.
When being dependable starts costing you.
One of the recurring lessons throughout The High Performance Operator is that capable people can slowly become experts at putting themselves last.
They’ll help a colleague.
Take another call.
Stay late.
Miss the gym.
Skip lunch.
Put family first.
Put work first.
Put everyone first.
Until eventually they’re running on empty.
I see this all the time.
People tell me they’re too busy to look after themselves.
Sometimes I think the opposite is true.
They’re not selfish enough. They’re too selfless.
Because the better you look after your own health, the more you have available to give everyone else.
That’s not selfish.
That’s responsibility.
I’m ready for Monday.
I’ve had a brilliant summer and loved spending more time with family.
But I’ll admit, the disrupted routine has frustrated me too.
My ADHD brain thrives on purpose, momentum and building things. When that rhythm disappears for too long, I notice it.
So whilst most people seem to be dreading Monday …
I genuinely can’t wait.
Routine returns.
Work picks up.
And the push towards Christmas and the end of the year begins.
Don’t forget yourself along the way.
Health isn’t just about being fit.
It’s about protecting the capacity that allows you to keep showing up for the people and things that matter.
And constantly putting yourself last is one way Capability Debt quietly accumulates.
That’s why I created the free Capability Debt Score.
It isn’t another wellbeing survey.
It’s a practical way to understand where your capacity currently sits and where the demands of life may be taking more from you than you’re putting back.
I’ll leave the link below if you’re curious.
Have a brilliant weekend.
Recharge properly.
And remember, looking after yourself doesn’t mean caring less about everyone else.
It means making sure you’ve still got something left to give them.
https://capabilitydebt.scoreapp.com
See you Monday.
Ollie.
