TEALPRINTS 003, Friday, March 15, 2025
🚀 The Quick Hit
A few weeks ago, I found myself staring at the BenTeal.com homepage, feeling an inexplicable heaviness. I felt overwhelmed and overcommitted. We were in the midst of a major overhaul, crafting new tiers for TEALPrints Premium, and on paper, everything was aligning perfectly. Yet, there I was, paralyzed, unable to take the next step.
I took a step back and asked myself, “What’s really holding me back?”
As I sifted through my thoughts, it dawned on me: I was burdened by invisible weights—unspoken expectations, outdated commitments, and self-imposed obligations that no longer resonated with who I am today. I realized I was carrying goals set by a version of myself from years ago, and they were silently draining my energy.
This awakening led me to a profound understanding:
⚡ The Takeaway:
You’re not overcommitted and overwhelmed because you’re doing too much; you’re overwhelmed because you’re doing things misaligned with your current self.
đź“Ś The Breakdown
🚫 The Mistake: Carrying What Isn’t Yours
Many of us unknowingly shoulder expectations and commitments that no longer serve us. These can stem from:
• Past Ambitions: Pursuing goals set by a former version of yourself.
• Societal Pressures: Adhering to cultural or familial expectations.
• Fear of Disappointment: Continuing paths to avoid letting others down.
This misalignment leads to exhaustion, lack of motivation, and a sense of being stuck.
âś… The Shift: Energy Comes from Alignment
In Die With Zero, Bill Perkins emphasizes the importance of living life aligned with one’s current values and desires. He advocates for reallocating time and resources toward experiences that resonate with who you are now, rather than who you were.
By shedding outdated commitments and focusing on present passions, you free up energy and rediscover enthusiasm in your endeavors.
đź’ˇ The Action Plan: How to Drop the Weight
1. Conduct a Commitment Audit:
List all current obligations and assess their relevance to your present goals and values.
2. Identify Energy Drainers:
Pinpoint tasks or commitments that feel burdensome or unfulfilling.
3. Communicate and Delegate:
Have honest conversations to renegotiate or delegate tasks that no longer align.
4. Set Boundaries:
Learn to say no to new commitments that don’t serve your current objectives.
5. Reflect Regularly:
Schedule periodic reviews to ensure your commitments align with your evolving self to avoid becoming overcommitted and overwhelmed.
6. Celebrate the Release:
Acknowledge the courage it takes to let go and celebrate the newfound freedom.
Want the full journaling prompts and alignment exercises?
Join TEALPrints Premium for exclusive content designed to help you realign and reclaim your energy.
🤖 AI Prompt of the Day
“Act as a personal coach. I feel overwhelmed and tired, but I’m not sure why. Help me identify hidden expectations or mental obligations I may be carrying that don’t align with who I am today. Ask me 5 reflective questions to guide me toward clarity.”
🧠The Fast Five
STRATEGY
The PARA Method by Tiago Forte
A simple, flexible system for organizing digital information across any platform.
TOOLS
A free tool that records, transcribes, and summarizes your Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams meetings, allowing you to focus on the conversation.
MINDSET
“The Most Important Question” by Mark Manson
Explore the deeper questions that determine your life’s direction and fulfillment.
BOOK / PODCAST
A bold reframe of traditional success — use your time and money while you’re alive to maximize meaning, not just your net worth.
CREATOR / OPERATOR
Ali Abdaal – Productivity meets play. Former doctor turned creator with a YouTube empire built around meaningful productivity and slow, sustainable scaling.
