5 Signs You're a High-Achieving Leader on the Verge of Burnout (and How to Avoid It)
Hi there!
You’re a high achiever.
You're driven, ambitious, and always striving for the next big thing.
You’re the kind of person who turns obstacles into opportunities.
But there’s a fine line between being driven and burning out. Let’s talk about it.
I once worked with a CTO for a leading AI SaaS company.
He was brilliant, innovative, and worked around the clock.
He was the epitome of a high achiever, but the pressure was immense.
He was on the brink of burnout.
🚨 He was about to give up and quit his job. That is the true sign of burnout—giving up! Most people misinterpret burnout and confuse it with being exhausted after a stressful period of time.
Here are five signs you might be heading down the same path:
Constant Exhaustion: You're tired all the time, even after sleep.
Decreased Productivity: You find it harder to focus and complete tasks.
Increased Irritability: You’re snapping at people more often.
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomach issues, or weakened immune system.
Loss of Interest: You're less passionate about your work and hobbies.
Resentfulness: You are complaining about work and your boss to coworkers.
If you recognize these signs, it’s time to take action. My client, the CTO, made three significant changes:
Prioritization: He learned to say NO to less important tasks. By focusing on high-impact activities, he reduced his workload without sacrificing results. 👉 You are not going to lose your job saying NO (politely and with supporting data) as long as you produce HIGH-QUALITY output!
Mindfulness and Meditation: He incorporated mindfulness practices into his daily routine. This helped him manage stress and improve focus. 👉 A wonderful technique is boredom. Be bored once in a while and give your mind space to formulate new creative thoughts.
Time Management: He implemented time-blocking techniques to create a structured schedule. This allowed him to balance work and personal life.
Remember, it’s okay to take breaks.
It’s okay to ask for help. As a matter of fact, this is where you should start!
Your mental and physical health are just as important as your career goals.
👉 What are you going to do with all that glory and money when your health has faded away—and you have no life left to reap what you sow?
By recognizing the signs of burnout and taking proactive steps, you can maintain your drive while protecting your well-being.
Reversing burnout starts by knowing how much you're currently dealing with burnout. 🔥 🔥 Go ahead and take my free burnout assessment right now: https://burnout.drdegnan.com.
Every year, I take on a limited number of professionals who aspire to a successful executive leadership career without burnout.
If you would like to learn more, set up some time with me and discover if we are a fit, by going to https://meet.drdegnan.com.
Leadership is hard. We spend a lifetime perfecting to lead teams and organizations with tangible results that change people's lives.
Let's make sure we get it right without burning out.
Hi, I'm Oliver.
I have been living in the trenches of a C-suite leader for over 17 years, leading thousands of employees between Startups, PE, and Fortune 50 companies. I am the former SVP and CTO for IBM Watson Health, Chief Architect for Intuit in Silicon Valley, and founder of MoreTalent AI with a successful exit in the 7-figure range. Every newsletter I send out has invaluable insight to help you succeed in your journey.