Hey Reader,

What if I told you that every “yes” you give chips away a piece of your freedom?

Every opportunity, meeting, and collaboration can feel like a step closer to more success.

But now, as you look at the great feats you’ve achieved, are some of those yeses weighing you down?

Saying yes is a habit. And like any habit, it can become toxic if left unchecked.

Today, we’ll uncover the real cost of over-commitment and how to reclaim control of your time, energy, and priorities.

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🗯️ Saying no to everything that doesn’t matter

Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, once revealed a strategy for managing his time and energy.

He uses what he calls the “2-list system.”

He writes down his top 25 goals he wants to achieve in life or business.

Then, he circles the top 5 that truly matter to him.

These become his non-negotiable priorities.

But instead of treating the remaining 20 goals as a someday list, he labels them as his “avoid-at-all-costs” list.

This allows him to maintain laser focus on his investments, relationships, and personal growth.

Buffett’s discipline in saying no is why he’s been able to sustain his success for decades.

Indeed, freedom comes from saying no more often.

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🧠 Your yeses are costing you more

There’s a neurological reason you keep saying yes.

The “dopamine trap” that tells you each new commitment gives you the “I’m needed” validation.

The “sunk cost fallacy” that makes you do irrelevant things because “You’ve spent years on it, and you can’t just let it go.”

The “Identity lie” that makes you think reliable means always available.

Now you’ve become what Cal Newport calls “a human router”, constantly accepting other people’s requests.

You’re saying yes to everyone except yourself, afraid that if you ever stopped, you may lose your edge.

But every yes comes with strings attached.

When you say yes to a low-value meeting, you’re saying no to deep work.

When you agree to a misaligned partnership, you’re sacrificing clarity.

Before you know it, your calendar is packed with obligations that don’t serve your highest goals and potential.

Then comes burnout, overwhelm, the feeling of stagnation, fear of being found out, and thoughts that you’re no longer ultra-performing.

How many times have you found yourself resenting the very commitments you agreed to?

That frustration is a sign that you’ve given away pieces of your freedom without realizing it.

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❤️ What could freedom really look like for you?

First things first, freedom doesn’t mean having nothing to do. I see it as having something worth doing.

When you flip your view on opportunities from “What could I gain?” to “What am I giving up?” your answer becomes intentional.

Your every commitment will reflect your true priorities.

You create space for the people and projects that matter.

You realize freedom isn’t something you get. You choose it by saying no to anything that doesn’t align with your vision.

And people respect that.

Clients trust leaders who are clear about their boundaries. Teams admire bosses who prioritize what matters.

And there you have the antidote to overwhelm.

A great way to weed out distractions, live up to your potential, and enjoy the great success you’re building.

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🤲 Master the art of saying no

You built your success by making choices.

Now, it’s time to make choices that serve your well-being and freedom.

Here are 4 tips I use to filter my priorities without burning bridges:

1. Use the 48-hour rule: When someone asks for your time or resources, pause before responding. There’s no guilt in saying, “Let me check my priorities and circle back.” Give yourself breathing room to be sure if it’s a HELL YES or a no.
2. Check again: Every month, review your commitments. Highlight anything that didn’t pay you, grow you, fill you, or fuel you. Eliminate.
3. Create a “no” script: Create a go-to phrase for politely but firmly declining things that won’t grow, pay, fill, or fuel you. For example: “Thank you so much for thinking of me. Unfortunately, I need to pass this time,” or “I don’t have the time to give this the attention it deserves.” You can refine using different contexts. Practice it until it feels natural.
4. Try the pre-mortem test: Fast-forward 6 months. Will the commitment still feel like a win? Or will it be another “why did I agree to this?” If it doesn’t align with a win, it’s a no. Good is the enemy of great.

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🎯 Who gets to decide your priorities?

What will you say yes or no to today?

At the end of the day, your calendar tells the story of your life.

You’re either writing the story or everyone else will.

If you’re the one writing, you’re saying no to good things and saying yes to great things.

As Derek Sivers famously said, “If you’re not saying ‘HELL YES!’ about something, say no.”

With appreciation,

Huw

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P.S.: Struggling to say no without feeling guilty? Start with building the unfuckwithable mind to live without the people-pleasing factor. I’m launching an elite mastermind in July, designed to build that mindset. Reply to this email if this interests you, and I’ll walk you through how this mastermind can transform your decision-making and reclaim your freedom.

Huw Edwards Founder & CEO, h3.xyz​

Whenever you're ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:

1. Join my free #75Hard Community: for those inspired to undertake the transformative #75hard program to build mental toughness for greater achievements. You also get to be surrounded by other overachievers at different levels of the program.
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2. Later this year, I will be launching an exclusive new mastermind for elite founders and CEOs to become unfuckwithable, maintain high performance, and live up to their potential. I share 10 years of experience leading organizations, buying businesses, starting companies, and doing crazy endurance feats. This program sets the stage for a new era of empowered elite CEOs & entrepreneurs.

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Book a free Clarity​ Call to see if you are fit for the program.