Unleashing Your Potential Without Burning Out: A Guide for Ambitious, High-Performing Women
According to Merriam-Webster, burnout is exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.
Burnout isn’t new. It’s been lurking in the background for years, often dismissed with a side of shame—like it’s something that only happens to the weak.
Burnout is not a badge of honor, it's a warning sign.
But now that it’s become so widespread, people are finally acknowledging it for what it is: a serious threat to both personal well-being and the ongoing success of businesses and organizations.
A Harvard Business Review article pointed out that burnout isn’t just a personal problem—it’s actually an organizational issue. It’s not simply about taking better care of yourself (though that helps).
The root causes are more complex. And fixing it requires more than the usual advice of “get more exercise” or “get better sleep.”
Your Burnout a Sign of Something Bigger
If you’re feeling burned out, recognizing it can be a powerful first step.
It gives you a chance to reflect on your own work experience and, more importantly, to advocate for changes that support not just your own well-being but that of your colleagues and the entire organizational culture.
Really, this applies just as much if you’re running your own business.
If you’re in a leadership role and aiming to create a thriving culture, but your health is falling apart, there’s a big disconnect there.
The same goes for your own business—and let’s be honest, even your life.
If you’re exhausted, it’s not solely the organization’s or your business’ fault.
As an entrepreneur, you can’t just chalk it up to “that’s what being an entrepreneur is like.” (I say this with love because I’ve been there myself. Burnout hit me hardest when I was well into my entrepreneurial journey.)
Listen to the Related Podcast Episode: Escape the Hustle Trap: Are you hustling for your self worth?
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
People seem to have varying definitions of burnout, which can be confusing: burnout is not depression or laziness or boredom.
Burnout happens when there’s an imbalance between the energy you put in and what you get back.
You might be pouring your heart and soul into your work, but if you’re not seeing results—whether that’s financial gain, recognition, or something else—it starts to take a toll.
This imbalance can stem from various causes, but when it sets in, your quality of life starts to decline. You become more disengaged, and your ability to make meaningful contributions dwindles. While we can handle stress for a while, there comes a point where it all becomes too much, and that’s when burnout hits.
The truth is, before that happens you might be missing the warning signs.
The Warning Signs of Burnout
Before you can address burnout, it's essential to recognize the warning signs. These can include:
- Physical exhaustion: Constant fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and frequent illness.
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or apathetic.
- Mental exhaustion: Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and a lack of motivation.
- Decreased productivity: Struggling to meet deadlines or complete tasks.
- Negative changes in behavior: Increased cynicism, isolation, or substance abuse.
Overcoming Burnout and Thriving
If you're experiencing burnout, it's important to take steps to address it.
The good news is that once you recognize these gaps and make correcting them a priority, you unlock a much greater personal power.
It’s like raising a sail to catch a wind that was always there, propelling you forward. This sets off a chain reaction, helping other areas of your life move forward too.
When we experience burnout, I believe we're being called to rethink what success means.
Redefining Success
As Arianna Huffington says, 'We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine success.'
We're at a crucial moment where redefining success can empower everyone.
It's not about holding back or downgrading our goals but about finding a balance that brings more energy, joy, and connection to our lives. This allows us to contribute more meaningfully to our work and relationships without feeling depleted.
For women, this shift requires intentional effort, which may feel unfamiliar at first. But it's essential for creating a more fulfilling and sustainable path to success.
Listen to the Related Podcast Episode: When is Less Actually More?
Step 1: Stop Clinging to What doesn’t Serve You
- When you're feeling burnt out, it's tempting to cling to control and to keep doing what we’ve been doing hoping things will get better. This can be really scary for high-achievers but trying to keep things under control can actually make things worse.
- In a world where we've been taught to focus on external goals rather than trusting our inner guidance, it's time to take a step back, breathe, and tune into your body—it’s trying to tell you something important.
- The key shift is to stop wishing, hoping, waiting, and strategizing that you can push through just a little longer until things get better. One of the biggest mistakes we make is denying our true potential because we believe that our current circumstances are all we're meant for.
Step 2: Break Through Your Inner Glass Ceiling
- There might be an invisible block holding you back. There is a story about our identity that holds us back, and that we never question because we are so used to it.
- No matter what you do, you'll keep hitting this wall until you recognize it and break through. No external steps you take will make it better
- Clearing this block might be tough, but it's possible and often quite quick to address with the support of an expert coach.
Step 3: Stop Trying to Go it Alone
- To reach your full potential, you'll need a strong support system. This will look different for everyone, but you can't figure it out with your mind alone. It's time to embrace your potential and take action.
- Women who achieve great things don't just sit back and wait. They seek out mentors, coaches, and other forms of support.
- Addressing imbalances in the amount of work you're shouldering both in your work and personal life makes a big difference too.
Next steps
Want to start implementing what you’ve just learned?
If this resonates with you, it's time for a transformative conversation. What’s waiting on the other side is beyond anything you’ve imagined.
Reach out today to discover how you can unlock your next-level potential, accelerate your growth, and achieve success without burning out!
Let’s make it happen together:
Helpful References:
- Burnout: The Secret to Unraveling the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Amelia Nagoski (Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020 ISBN: 9780358336721)
- Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky (Publisher: Atria Books, 2019, ISBN: 9781529400182)
-
