When high functioning turns into quiet endurance. The women I coach rarely walk in declaring burnout. It’s subtler.
“I’m okay, just a bit knackered.”
“Things are ticking over – I just feel off.”
“I can handle it. Always have.”
This is high functioning in disguise. And it’s everywhere, more sneaky than full-blown exhaustion.
Why “I’m Fine” Deserves a Closer Look
From the outside, it shines. Business humming. Job solid. Deadlines smashed. Everyone sorted.
Inside? It’s fraying. You parcel out energy like rations. Joy’s a distant memory. Sleep doesn’t recharge. The thought of easing off? Unthinkable. Terrifying, even.
This isn’t crumbling. It’s coping on autopilot. And it’s expensive.
The Trap High Achievers Fall Into
Early on, pushing through earns praise. You become that person: the fixer, the one who delivers no matter what. “I’ll sort it.” “No worries, I’ve got this.” “Later – when things quieten.”
Over years, it sticks. Productivity stops energising you. It just… drains.
Most advice misses this. It preaches hacks for squeezing more from fixed hours. But your capacity isn’t a bottomless tank. It’s alive, shifting. Ignore that, and no app or planner saves you.
Your Body’s Role in Getting Things Done
Think about what really drives output:
- Sharp focus
- Easy decisions
- Proper recovery
Your nervous system runs the show. Constant coping keeps it revved – fight-or-flight on simmer. Creativity fades. Big-picture thinking? Gone. Resilience? Paper-thin.
No to-do list outsmarts biology. Real progress needs calm first.
Redefining Work for Where You Are Now
The old question – “How do I cram more in?” – doesn’t fit any more.
Try this: “How can I achieve this without losing myself?”
Ambition stays. The method changes.
Here’s my S.O.U.L. approach – dead simple, built from what works with clients:
S – Strip back
Ditch commitments that suck energy for little gain. Say no to ‘good enough’ distractions.
O – Flow with your rhythm
Ditch rigid timetables. Work when your mind’s alive – mornings for deep stuff, afternoons for lighter lifts.
U – Update success
What lights you up today? Not the goals from five years back. Recalibrate.
L – Lighten the load
Hand off tasks. Use voice notes over typing. Batch similar bits. Free your headspace.
This builds momentum that fits you, not some ideal.
Spotting the Warning Whispers
You don’t hit crisis to pivot. Watch for:
- Rest leaving you flat
- Tasks feeling forced, flat
- High performance, low spark
- Your body pushing back – tension, fatigue
These aren’t flaws. They’re intel.
Success That Doesn’t Squeeze the Life Out
The best wins feel… easy. Roomy. Steady.
No frenzy. No collapse.
Just enough space to actually enjoy it.
That’s productivity worth chasing. Build that, and it sticks.
Fancy a chat on making this real for you? Drop me a line. No pressure – just possibility.
Best first step? Try S.O.U.L. – start with one ‘S’ today.
