The Courage To Be Disliked — And Why It Frees You From Overworking
Most high-achieving businesswomen do not overwork because they like working harder.
They overwork because they don’t want to disappoint anyone.
They want to be liked.
So they say yes when they mean no.
They over-deliver to avoid judgment.
They do extra — so no one can say they didn’t do enough.
And without noticing… this becomes their normal.
This is not “hard work.”
This is self-protection.
Overworking becomes a way to stay safe.
But here is the honest truth:
You cannot create ease when your goal is to be liked.
Because you will always work harder than needed — to prove you’re “good.”
The shift is this:
You stop working to be liked.
You start working from value.
That is the courage to be disliked.
It does not mean you’re mean.
It does not mean you’re rude.
It means you choose truth over approval.
And when you do — your business gets lighter, and your success becomes easier.
Because your actions are no longer fueled by fear.
They are fueled by your vision.
If you want support with this, I can help you.
3 Awareness Questions
Where am I working harder just to avoid disappointing someone?
Where am I saying yes when I want to say no?
What belief do I have about being liked that is costing me peace or capacity?
3 Quick Wins
• Say one 2-minute “clean no” this week.
• Pick one daily task to drop — because it doesn’t move income forward.
• Let one person be wrong about you — without over-explaining.
These quick wins can save hours of wasted output.
And free up so much emotional space.
If this hit your soul — take the quiz
and see the real reason you’re over-working.
