Working at Capacity and Knowing When to Say No

Podcast Summary

In this episode, Karen Heard-Lauréote reflects on one of the most important and most difficult aspects of running a consultancy or freelance practice: recognising when you're at full capacity and how to say no with care and confidence.

She explores the signs of overload, the quiet guilt of turning down work and the long-term value of becoming more selective. Drawing on lived experience, this episode offers practical strategies for protecting your time, energy and quality of work while maintaining relationships and your professional reputation.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever said “yes” out of obligation, and later wondered how to claw back time for what matters.

Key Takeaways

• Over-commitment has a cost: Every “yes” uses up your creative, emotional and physical energy, not just your time.

• Capacity can be subtle: The signs you’re over capacity aren’t always dramatic. They can be subtle signs, such as brain fog, irritability, or a tendency to procrastinate.

• Saying no protects quality: Turning down work helps ensure the work you do take on gets your full attention and care.

• You can say no without burning bridges: Being honest, prompt, and helpful (such as recommending someone else) helps preserve relationships.

• Project stacking is risky: Overlapping work can lead to blurred focus, deadline collisions, and compromised delivery.

• Pause before you accept: Ask yourself whether the work aligns with your energy, values, and future direction.

• • Space enables sustainability: Saying no makes room for the non-billable work that sustains your practice, like writing, reflection, or rest.

  
  

  Links to Relevant Resources

  
  

• • Thinking about going freelance or setting up a consultancy in HE? My short courses offer practical guidance to help you take the first steps. Find out more at khlconsulting.co.uk/courses
  • KHL Consulting Website: www.khlconsulting.co.uk
  • LinkedIn Profile for Karen Heard-Lauréote: www.linkedin.com/in/profkhl
  • Network for Educational Enhancement Consultants: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14409504/

  
  

  Calls to Action

  
  

  • Subscribe and Share: If you enjoyed this episode or are finding this series or previous ones helpful, please subscribe and share it with your network.

  • Connect on LinkedIn: I’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s podcast, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/profkhl

  • Look Out for Series 3 Episode 3: We’ll be back soon with the next episode. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!