Home Posts tagged 'burnout to breakthrough'

burnout to breakthrough

  • personal growth, Uncategorized, women and burnout, work life harmony

    Free Yourself: How to Conquer the Overdelivering Trap & Find Your Flow

    I’ve learned that life isn’t about the impossible goal of perfectly balancing time between work and home. It’s about creating a beautiful, life-giving rhythm that works for you, one that adapts to what life asks of you without leaving you feeling utterly exhausted and scattered.

    But what happens when that rhythm feels less like a gentle flow and more like a devastating flood? What happens when your incredible dedication at work starts to drain the very life you’re working so hard to build? You may find yourself caught in what I call the “overdelivering trap.” It’s that heartbreaking place where your 200% effort has slowly, insidiously become the new 100% expectation, and you’re left wondering where your precious energy has vanished.

    This post is here to help you shape a flow that blends your work and your personal time in a way that truly supports and uplifts you. Because work-life harmony isn’t about rigid, unforgiving lines; it’s about a beautiful synergy. And the first, most courageous step is understanding how we get so trapped in the first place.

    How We Tragically Lose Our Rhythm

    It rarely happens all at once. Instead, it’s a slow, dangerous creep series of small, well-intentioned “yeses” that eventually lead to an overwhelming and unsustainable workload. For example, a wonderfully high-achieving woman I know (Let’s call her Keisha). Her days were once filled with the thrill of leading workshops and mentoring professionals. Suddenly, life took a sharp, unexpected turn, and she became her mother’s primary caregiver. Yet, her immediate, powerful impulse was to keep performing at that same superhuman level at work, to prove to herself and everyone else that she could handle it all.

    Like so many of us, Keisha’s identity was deeply and powerfully connected to her accomplishments. This High-Achiever Syndrome makes the idea of delivering anything less than our absolute best feel like a shocking personal failure. On top of that, many of us have a deep, innate desire to be helpful, which can easily and tragically slide into People-Pleasing. We say “yes” to things we simply don’t have the bandwidth for, because the immediate discomfort of saying “no” feels far worse than the crushing exhaustion of doing the work.

    Eventually, our Work Becomes Our Identity. When your job is who you are, any setback feels like a fundamental, devastating flaw, which makes the thought of pulling back absolutely terrifying. When you combine these powerful traits with a workplace that is happy to take as much as you’re willing to give, you have the perfect, heartbreaking recipe for losing your flow.

    The Devastating Cost of an Unsustainable Rhythm

    The most immediate cost is a profound burnout and a deep, corrosive resentment. However, the true cost is the devastating, invisible toll it takes on your life. It’s the hobbies you once loved that now gather dust, the cherished friendships you’re too tired to nurture, and the precious weekends spent recovering instead of truly living.

    One woman I spoke to during my research shared something that absolutely broke my heart. She said, “I cannot stress how good it feels to have a clean house. I used to feel like a horrible adult because I couldn’t keep my house clean. I didn’t realize at the time: I just didn’t have the energy.”

    That’s what’s truly at stake. It’s not about being tired; it’s about your beautiful, vibrant life shrinking until it’s nothing but work and recovery. But I promise you, you can find your rhythm again. It starts with a few intentional, courageous shifts.

    3 Liberating Ways to Find Your Flow Again

    Ready to shape a flow that truly supports you? Here are three empowering ways to begin.

    1. Start with a Small, Courageous Experiment: This first step can feel a little scary, but it’s about bravely recalibrating what “a good job” means. For one week, I invite you to consciously choose a task and deliver it at 80% of your usual effort. You’ll likely be shocked to discover that your 80% is what most people consider 100%. This isn’t about doing a bad job; it’s about gathering powerful data and proving to yourself that you can pull back without everything falling apart.

    2. Introduce a Powerful, Thoughtful Pause: Once you’ve seen that it’s safe to pull back, you can then introduce a thoughtful pause when new requests come your way. Instead of an immediate, automatic “yes,” try saying: “I’m happy to help with that. To make sure I give it the right attention, which of my current projects should I de-prioritize to make room for this?” This simple, powerful shift frames your time as a precious, finite resource and positions you as a strategic partner, not just a pair of hands.

    3. Passionately Nurture Your Life Outside of Work: Finally, this is the deepest and most transformative work. You have to start untangling your self-worth from your job performance. You can do this by intentionally creating a life outside of work that is so compelling and joyful, it starts to compete for your attention and energy. Schedule things that truly matter to you, a walk with a cherished friend, a creative pottery class, and treat them with the same non-negotiable importance as a meeting with your CEO.

    Own Your Rhythm, Own Your Life

    Finding your flow isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what truly matters, in a way that sustains and uplifts you. It’s about triumphantly remembering that you are more than your productivity. Some days, your career may need more of you. On other days, your family or your own precious well-being might take center stage. And that’s not a failure it’s a beautiful, real life.

    If this topic hits home, don’t just stop here. I created a free PRONE to Power Worksheet that will help you put these strategies into action. You can grab it now at https://bit.ly/PRONEtoPowerwksht

  • personal growth, women and burnout, work life harmony

    Are You Running on Empty? How to Break the Burnout Cycle & Reclaim Your Life

    Do you feel like you’re constantly juggling too many tasks, putting out fires, and meeting everyone’s needs but your own? If the words “I’m okay, I’ll handle it” are your go-to responses, you might be caught in a dangerous cycle of burnout that’s silently draining your energy, joy, and sense of self.

    In our latest podcast episode, “Break the Burnout Cycle: Set Boundaries & Reclaim Your Time,” we delve into why many of us, especially self-reliant women, often wear exhaustion as a badge of honor and how to break free. This isn’t about radical, overnight change: it’s about making small, intentional choices that lead to profound transformation.

    Listen to the Full Episode Below

    The Three Hidden Energy Drainers

    Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow leak, often caused by three hidden energy drainers that we mistake for strengths:

    1. Fear of Confrontation: You avoid difficult conversations to keep the peace, but the unspoken needs and resentment build up, creating a heavy emotional weight. Every time you swallow your truth, you’re telling yourself that your needs don’t matter.

    2. Misguided Optimism: You hope that if you just keep pushing, someone will notice and step in to help. But this magical thinking often leads to disappointment and loneliness, leaving you feeling invisible and unappreciated.

    3. Persistent Availability: In a hyper-connected world, being “always on” has become the norm. You answer emails at all hours, never miss a call, and make yourself constantly available to everyone. This leaves no room for mental rest, leading to decision fatigue and chronic exhaustion.

    “Sucking it up and going alone isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a recipe for exhaustion, resentment, and burnout.”

    From Surviving to Thriving: 4 Steps to Reclaim Your Power

    Breaking the cycle of burnout isn’t about becoming a different person. It’s about making space for yourself, one small choice at a time. Here are four actionable steps you can take today to start reclaiming your energy and wellbeing:

    1. Get Honest with Yourself Through Journaling

    You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. Dedicate just 10-15 minutes each day to journaling. Write down where you feel stretched thin, what conversations you’re avoiding, and where you’re overextending yourself. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about gaining clarity. Once you see the patterns on paper, you can start to address them.

    2. Speak Your Truth to Someone You Trust

    Burnout thrives in isolation. Choose one person—a partner, a friend, a therapist—and share your struggles. Voicing your feelings breaks the silence and is often the first step toward getting the support you need. You don’t need to have all the answers; you just need to be heard.

    3. Set One Small, Manageable Boundary

    Boundaries aren’t about building walls; they’re about protecting your energy. Start small. Pick one area of your life—work, home, or personal time—and set one clear boundary.

    •Work: “I will not check emails after 7 PM.”

    •Home: “I need 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for myself each evening.”

    •Personal: “I will turn my phone off for one hour before bed.”

    Communicate your boundary clearly, kindly, and firmly. Remember, you’re not responsible for other people’s reactions to your boundaries.

    4. Protect Your Energy with Intention

    Your energy is your most valuable resource. Protect it fiercely. This means scheduling non-negotiable time for rest and self-care, just as you would a critical meeting. It means saying “no” to things that drain you and “yes” to things that fill you up.

    “Thriving means setting loving boundaries that protect your wellbeing. It means speaking up for your needs with confidence and kindness.”

    Your Journey to a More Empowered Life Starts Now

    Imagine what your life could look like six months from now if you started implementing these changes today. Picture yourself leaving work at a reasonable hour, feeling present and engaged with your family, and having the energy to pursue your own interests.

    This journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient with yourself, celebrate the small wins, and remember that you are worthy of a life where you feel energized, supported, and truly alive.

    Ready to dive deeper? Listen to the full podcast episode, “85: Break the Burnout Cycle: Set Boundaries & Find Your Power,” for more in-depth strategies, personal stories, and a guided path to reclaiming your life.

  • personal growth, Self image, women and burnout, work life harmony

    Why Trying Harder Isn’t Working: The Truth About Misguided Optimism

    If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe if I just try harder, things will get better,” you’re not alone. That’s what many women in the sandwich generation, balancing work, caregiving, and family, tell themselves every day. But here’s the hard truth: sometimes, trying harder isn’t the answer.

    What Is Misguided Optimism?
    Misguided optimism is the belief that more effort will make others change, help you feel better, or fix what’s broken. It’s rooted in good intentions but often leads to exhaustion and resentment.

    When Optimism Helps and When It Hurts
    Healthy optimism keeps you motivated and hopeful. It’s what helps you push through challenges with confidence and faith. But misguided optimism crosses the line when it ignores your limits. It tells you that if you just do enough, things will change even when they won’t.

    How Childhood and Past Experiences Play a Role
    For many of us, these patterns started early. Maybe you were the helper, the peacekeeper, or the strong one who held it all together. That’s how you survived. But as adults, that same pattern becomes over-functioning, doing for others what they can do for themselves, and draining your own energy in the process.

    Breaking the Cycle

    1. Identify one area where you’re over-functioning.
    2. Focus on what’s actually yours to carry.
    3. Communicate your limits clearly and kindly.
    4. Let go of trying to control how others respond.

    Real optimism is about trusting that things can improve without sacrificing yourself to make it happen.

    Download Your Free Resource:
    Grab the PRONE to Power Worksheet, your step-by-step guide to cultivating the mindset that helps you thrive: Prioritize, Rejuvenate, Organize, Navigate Boundaries, and Empower.
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