How You’re Feeling May Be the Norm - But It’s Not Normal
Why Burnout and Overwhelm Feel Inevitable, And How to Break Free
Is This Just How Success Works?
You wake up tired, chug coffee, and dive into a packed schedule. Your to-do list is endless, your inbox is overflowing, and back-to-back meetings leave little time to breathe or even go to the restroom. By the time you log off, hours later than planned, you’re physically and emotionally drained, but instead of unwinding, you collapse in front of a screen, scrolling mindlessly or numbing out with TV. You tell yourself you’ll get a break soon, but soon never comes.
This is what work looks like, right?
It might feel that way because this level of constant stress has become the accepted norm. But let’s take a step back.
Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed every day is not normal.
Constantly running on empty is not a sign of commitment.
Working harder and powering through is not the solution.
You Are Not Alone - Burnout is a Global Epidemic
If you feel this way, you are far from alone. Workplace burnout is at an all-time high.
A 2024 survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) found that 52% of employees reported feeling burned out in the past year due to their job, with 37% feeling so overwhelmed it hindered their performance.
A report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in 2024 revealed that half of workers globally are struggling with burnout.
A 2024 article from Forbes indicated that 82% of the workforce is at risk for burnout.
These statistics underscore that burnout is not an isolated issue but a widespread challenge impacting employee wellbeing, workplace cultures, and organizational productivity.
This is not just an individual problem, it is a systemic issue in modern workplaces. Companies demand higher productivity, glorify overwork, and fail to provide the support employees need to thrive. The result? Millions of professionals are exhausted, disengaged, and questioning if the endless grind is worth it.
Why High-Achievers Are Most at Risk
Ambitious, high performing professionals are particularly vulnerable. Success-driven individuals are conditioned to believe that:
Productivity equals value
Working harder is the only way to get ahead
Rest is a luxury, not a necessity
These beliefs, reinforced over years, create a cycle of overwork and depletion. You tell yourself that if you just push a little harder, you’ll finally feel caught up. But the goalposts keep moving, and no matter how much you achieve, the pressure never lets up.
How to Break the Cycle and Take Back Your Power
Burnout does not go away on its own. Waiting for a slower season, a promotion, or a vacation will not solve the problem. Real change comes from intentional action.
Here are four ways to start:
1. Redefine Success
Take a step back and ask yourself:
What truly motivates me about the work I do?
When do I feel most fulfilled and energized in my career?
If burnout wasn’t part of the equation, how would I define success?
How do I want to feel at the end of my workday - physically, mentally, and emotionally?
What priorities outside of work have I been neglecting, and how would my life improve if I made space for them?
Many high achievers equate success with long hours, constant availability, and relentless productivity. But true success isn’t about working the most, it’s about creating meaningful impact while maintaining your health, energy, and fulfillment. Imagine what your career and life could look like if your definition of success included wellbeing, relationships, and joy. Would you set better boundaries? Would you take more time for yourself and the things that truly matter?
The key is recognizing that work is just one piece of a fulfilling life. Redefining success on your terms allows you to pursue ambitious goals while also prioritizing your wellbeing, happiness, and personal growth.
2. Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
Burnout thrives in the absence of boundaries. High achievers often struggle to say no, fearing they will miss opportunities or disappoint others. But without clear limits, work will continue to expand until there is nothing left of you. Boundaries are not about working less, they are about working sustainably so you can bring your best self to both your career and personal life.
Action steps:
Define your work hours, and stick to them. Set clear start and end times for your workday and honor them as you would any important commitment.
Protect your personal time. Block off time for self-care, family, exercise, or hobbies, and treat it as non-negotiable. Work should not invade every corner of your life.
Communicate your availability. Set and reinforce expectations for response times, especially for nights and weekends. If you always respond immediately, people will assume you are always available.
Block focus time on your calendar. Reserve distraction-free periods for deep work and treat them as you would a critical meeting.
Learn to say no. Decline tasks or projects that do not align with your priorities, and delegate when possible.
When you set and enforce boundaries, you reclaim control over your time and energy, allowing you to be both successful and fulfilled, rather than constantly running on empty.
3. Prioritize Recovery to Increase Performance
Research from the National Safety Council shows that fatigued workers are 30% less productive and make significantly more mistakes. The irony? Many high performers avoid rest because they fear falling behind - when in reality, rest is the key to better performance.
Action steps:
Get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Chronic sleep deprivation impacts cognitive function as much as being legally intoxicated.
Step away from screens and take movement breaks throughout the day. The Pomodoro technique - working in focused 25-minute blocks with five-minute breaks - can help sustain energy and focus.
Engage in non-work activities that recharge you, whether that is exercise, reading, or spending time with family.
4. Take Small, Consistent Steps Toward Balance
Feeling overwhelmed can make change seem impossible. The key is to start small.
Action steps:
Choose one habit to focus on this week - whether it is setting a work curfew, drinking more water, or taking a daily walk.
Schedule non-negotiable time for yourself in your calendar.
Do one thing each day that is for you - not for work, not for family - just for you.
Sustainable change does not come from overhauling your life overnight. It comes from consistent, intentional action.
You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone
Breaking free from burnout and overwhelm is not just about managing stress, it is about rewiring deep-rooted patterns that keep you stuck in overwork and exhaustion. This is where support makes the difference.
As a coach, I help high-achievers like you:
Identify and break the beliefs that keep them stuck in the burnout cycle
Build healthier habits and set boundaries that allow them to thrive in their career and life
Redefine success on their own terms, without guilt or fear
If you are tired of running on empty and ready to create a life where success and wellbeing coexist, let’s talk.
Schedule a free consultation or connect with me to explore how you can reclaim your energy, focus, and fulfillment - without sacrificing your ambition.
