Sometimes helpfulness is just well-disguised avoidance

You support others, offer advice, jump in, take on tasks, and make yourself useful everywhere. It feels good because it is needed. At the same time, it can be an elegant way to evade your own subject matter.

Helping is safe. You are appreciated without carrying your own risk. Someone else's application is less frightening than your own. A friend's project has no consequences for your own life. To the outside world, you appear committed and generous.

Work on your own next step. Your own project, your own application, your own conversation, or your own decision remains untouched. Helping others is often easier because their risk is not yours.

Be unavailable for one hour and work on your own next step. No explaining, no advising, no jumping in. Just once, direct your energy toward the place you usually avoid.