Striving Towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

It took me years to learn this: giving is important, but so is protecting yourself from people who only take.

The givers among us often struggle with this. We want to help, we want to be generous, but some people will drain you dry without a second thought.

The kindest thing you can do—for yourself and others—is to be clear about your limits upfront.

Instead of saying yes and quietly resenting it later, try something like: “I’d be happy to help you for an hour, but I need to prioritize finishing my project first.”

It’s direct, it’s kind, and it protects your time without apology.

Most people understand that your time and expertise have value. But there are always a few who will try to get you to work for free, do “just one more thing,” or blur the lines until you’re giving far more than you intended.

Even when you’re doing someone a favor, it helps to have a clear agreement. Not because you don’t trust them, but because clarity protects everyone.

When expectations are spelled out—what you’re offering, what the boundaries are, when it ends—it creates awareness for everyone involved. No one has to guess. No one feels taken advantage of.

If you’re a natural giver, this is especially important: some people have no limit to what they’ll take from you.

Your generosity is a gift, not an obligation. You get to decide where it goes and when to say enough.

Being kind doesn’t mean being boundless. It means knowing your worth and protecting your capacity to keep giving—sustainably.