Written by Maria-Stella Contera, Holistic Wellness Coach
Maria-Stella is a passionate advocate for women's health and well-being who embarked on a transformative journey from corporate burnout to becoming a beacon of empowerment and education. With a profound understanding of the challenges women face in maintaining their well-being and a healthy lifestyle whilst juggling multiple responsibilities, Maria-Stella offers a unique and proven strategy for the prevention and management of burnout.
High-achieving professional women are often driven to excel, but this drive can come at a cost. Certain habits can secretly drain their energy, hindering their well-being and success. Here I provide seven common habits that may hold high-achieving professional women back without them knowing it and offer some practical strategies to help break free from them.
1. Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the persistent pursuit of flawlessness, often leading to unrealistic expectations and self-criticism. It can cause anxiety, stress, and a fear of failure, ultimately clogging your creativity, innovation, and growth. Perfectionism can dramatically slow down progress and encourage procrastination because the need to have it done perfectly will always take priority, more time and effort than being satisfied with having it good enough.
To overcome perfectionism, recognize that perfection is not always attainable, set realistic standards, and be okay with imperfections. View imperfections as learning and growth opportunities. Remember, “good is good enough.”
2. Overcommitting
Overcommitting occurs when you take on too much. You want to feel like you can handle it all but this only encourages burnout, stress, and a sense of overwhelm. As a result, this high-achieving habit can impair relationships, compromise work quality, and affect your well-being.
To manage overcommitting, start saying "no" more often and without guilt, prioritize tasks, focus on high-impact activities, and regularly schedule time for self and downtime to be recharged.
3. Self-criticism
Self-criticism is judging and criticizing yourself. Be careful with self-criticism as it can lead to low self-esteem, self-doubt, and fear of failure. It can hold high achievers back from seeing the opportunities in front of them and missing out on pursuing something great.
To overcome self-criticism, practice self-compassion, shift negative self-talk with positive affirmations, and acknowledge your achievements and progress no matter how small it may be.
4. Comparison
Comparison involves measuring yourself against others. This can cause high-achievers to feel inadequate, envious, and dissatisfied with their career achievements or life in general. It can distract high-achievers from pursuing their goals and recognizing their strengths. The habit of constant comparison can lead to poor mental well-being. It can also prevent high-achievers from appreciating their unique talents and accomplishments, which in turn can hinder both professional and personal growth and fulfillment.
To manage comparison, focus on your own journey, set personal goals, acknowledge and reward your achievements, and be aware and proud of your own unique strengths, accomplishments and talents.
5. Burnout
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, and lack of work-life balance. It can lead to decreased productivity, motivation, and well-being.
To prevent burnout, recognize the signs (exhaustion, cynicism, reduced performance), prioritize rest, delegate tasks, delete anything that doesn’t need your attention, and defer working on anything that can wait. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help when needed. When you are able to recognize and accept the need for support, acknowledge this as a personal strength, not a weakness. Whether it involves asking a work colleague to help take on some of your workload or professional support such as engaging a holistic wellness coach who can help high achievers obtain work-life balance and personalized strategies for the prevention of or recovery from burnout.
6. Lack of boundaries
Lack of boundaries involves failing to establish clear limits with work, technology, relationships, and personal space, leading to overwhelm, stress, and burnout.
To set healthy boundaries, prioritize personal time and space, if need be, block out times in your calendar that is time for yourself and use that time to do something that replenishes your energy. Communicate your needs politely but firmly, and be transparent with the expectations of others. Although it can be challenging because we want to avoid offending others, it's important to remember that your well-being comes first. Often, others will understand and respond positively when you explain that you need to avoid taking on more than what’s already on your full plate.
7. Need for control
The need for control involves trying to manipulate outcomes, people, or situations, leading to stress, anxiety, and relationship damage.
To manage this habit, recognize that it is often unattainable as we cannot always control what happens or what others think, feel, or do. Instead, focus on what you can control, and look for trust in others and your surrounding environment.
Breaking free from habits that hinder a high-achievers professional and personal success requires self-awareness, intention, and persistence. By recognizing and managing these habits as they arise, high-achieving professionals can reach their full potential, achieve better work-life balance, and sustain a more fulfilling career and personal life.
Remember, your well-being and success are worth the small changes and persistence needed to overcome these high-achiever habits.
Maria-Stella Contera, Holistic Wellness Coach
Maria-Stella is a passionate advocate for women's health and well-being who embarked on a transformative journey from corporate burnout to becoming a beacon of empowerment and education. With a profound understanding of the challenges women face in maintaining their well-being and a healthy lifestyle whilst juggling multiple responsibilities, Maria-Stella offers a unique and proven strategy for the prevention and management of burnout. Maria-Stella's resolute mission is clear: to empower and educate women to be in control of their health and well-being so they live life at their healthiest and personal best. She does this without adding extra pressures into their busy life and without feeling guilty.
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