“I have to fix this.”

When your voice says:

“Their problem is now my job.”

“I need to jump in and rescue this.”

Coach Lynn says:

Helping and taking over are different things. You can be supportive without becoming responsible for someone else’s whole problem.

Then you say:

Here’s what I need to do:

• Take one or more Composure Breaths to settle my body.
• Before jumping in, ask myself: "Did they ask for help, or am I assuming?" If I'm not sure, ask them: "Do you want ideas, or would it help if I just listened?"
• Ask: "Is this mine to solve, or theirs?" Name the part, if any, that truly belongs to me.
• Offer one kind of help, such as listening, a suggestion, or a resource, and let them decide what to do with it.

Coach Lynn says:

Support isn't the same as rescue. When you offer help instead of taking over, you respect their strength, protect your energy, and stay connected without carrying their load.