Does "Getting Involved” Costs Too Much?

Some opportunities look amazing on paper—fundraisers, volunteer projects, community campaigns—and as business leaders, we’re often the first to say yes. But what if those “good things” are actually stretching you too thin? In this episode of Off Your Plate, Karine Parthenais is talking about the hidden cost of unaligned opportunities. She shares what she's witnessed over the years, why she's become more careful about overcommitting, and how to check in with yourself before you say yes to something that might not serve you. If you’ve ever felt guilty for protecting your energy or saying no to a “great opportunity,” this one’s for you.

Takeaways:

• Just because an opportunity is good doesn’t mean it’s yours.
• People will praise you for doing it all—but protecting your capacity rarely gets celebrated (and still matters more).
• Overcommitting for visibility or validation can derail your focus and impact.
• Setting boundaries around time, energy, and priorities is a leadership move.
• Use a simple gut check to decide: Does this align with your goals and season? If not, pass with confidence.