03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everything and Everyone

20/05/2025 14 min Episodio 3
03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everything and Everyone

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Episode Synopsis


Always feel responsible for everyone and everything? Learn how to stop overcommitting, set boundaries, and still be seen as a team player -- without burning out.If you’re a woman lawyer who feels like you’re carrying the weight of your workplace, your family, and everyone’s expectations, this episode is your roadmap to freedom. We dig into why you feel responsible for things you can’t control, how this pattern is rooted in gendered socialization, and why it’s a fast track to exhaustion and resentment..You’ll hear the real story of Maya, a lawyer who thought she had to manage her clients’ happiness, her family’s travel plans, and her colleagues’ performance -- until she realized her sense of responsibility wasn’t coming from others, but from her own beliefs. We’ll break down the four drivers of excessive responsibility:Socialization: Why women lawyers are taught to put everyone else firstMisplaced Responsibility: The urge to control outcomes, emotions, and other people’s opinionsFear of Judgment: How perfectionism and people-pleasing keep you stuckMagical Thinking: The myth that doing everything perfectly will keep everyone happyYou’ll learn how to spot these patterns in your own life and, more importantly, how to break free. I’ll walk you through practical steps, like making two simple lists to separate what’s truly yours from what’s not, and how to start letting go of guilt when you say no or set boundaries.Inside this episode:Why overcommitment is not a badge of honor, but a recipe for burnoutHow to shift from feeling responsible for everyone to being accountable for yourselfThe power of “autonomous accountability” -- focusing on what you can control and letting go of the restHow to handle negative emotions like guilt and anxiety without letting them run your lifeReal-life examples and mindset shifts you can use right now to reclaim your energy and peace of mindReady to stop feeling like you have to fix everything for everyone? Hit play and start practicing the mindset shifts and boundaries that will actually help you thrive in your legal career and your life.Want more support?Book a free 20-minute call to talk about your burnout challenges. www.heathermillscoaching.comDownload my free guide: 7 Reasons You’re Not Burned Out and Are Totally Fine, You SwearFollow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for regular tips and supportFull Show Notes, Episode Transcript, Plus More Resources for Women in Law:03 How to Stop Feeling Responsible for Everything and Everyonehttps://www.heathermillscoaching.com/blog/03-how-to-stop-feeling-responsible-for-everything-and-everyone

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