When “no” isn’t an option, unexpected assignments can derail your career and well‑being. Take Sarah, a third‑grade teacher tapped to lead fifth‑grade—she felt she couldn’t refuse. Across industries, saying “yes” out of fear can misalign your path, dilute your skills, and trigger burnout. In this post, I share how to assess requests, set boundaries, and negotiate terms to safeguard your growth and maintain balance.