Show Notes
What if the reason you feel constantly busy, overwhelmed, or pulled in every direction is because you’re saying yes to the wrong things?
In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Christine Assouad - author, serial entrepreneur, investor on Shark Tank Lebanon, and founder behind multiple ventures including Dunkin’ Lebanon and Semsom. She has mentored thousands of women across the Middle East and beyond and recently released her book The Power to Say Yes, which explores how learning to say yes to yourself can transform your life and career.
In this conversation, Christine shares what she has learned from mentoring thousands of women, why so many ambitious people struggle with guilt and overcommitment, and how to become intentional about where your time, energy, and attention go.
This episode dives into the tension between being capable and feeling obliged, why energy management matters more than time management, and how to start designing a life aligned with what actually matters to you.
What We Cover
• Why so many people say yes to everyone except themselves
• The hidden difference between being capable and feeling obligated
• The Wheel of Life exercise to understand what truly matters • Why many ambitious women feel burnt out despite doing everything “right”
• The importance of energy management, not just time management
• How saying yes to one opportunity can shape an entirely different life path
• Why guilt often holds people back from pursuing what they want
• The smallest “yes” you can start with today to reclaim control of your life
This episode could be the one that powerfully changes your life. Make sure to share it with a friend if someone came to mind during the episode!
CONNECT
📚 The Power to Say YES!
TIME STAMPS
(00:34) Introduction
(03:16) Saying Yes to Everyone But Yourself
(04:33) What Foundation Do We Need To Build?
(10:04) Wheel of Life Exercise
(15:49) Hardest YES You’ve Given
(19:58) Being Capable v Obliged
(22:59) Energy Management
(26:43) Being an Entrepreneur v. Careerist
(31:20) Running 3 Iterations of Your Life
(34:35) How to Dream Without Being Ungrateful?
(38:37) Why a Monk Can’t Understand Guilt
(43:02) What’s the Smallest YES Someone Can Start With Today?
WHO AM I?
I’m Erika, an Australian living in Dubai, a mum and the creator and host of this podcast. After almost a decade in law, I’ve stepped into a new chapter centred on what I love - helping people understand themselves, grow and build lives that feel aligned. As someone with big ambitions, I’m passionate about pursuing what matters and to do so, we need to create our own lives intentionally. This channel is a space for honest conversations, curiosity and practical tools to support that journey. Welcome - I’m glad you’re here.
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RESOURCES
▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon
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