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.
As a life and wellness coach, I see high achievers who, despite their outward success, struggle with burnout and sometimes feelings of emptiness. They have success but lack enjoyment or fulfillment in their life. Something is missing, but they don’t know what. The small yet meaningful parts of life have dwindled, mostly vanished, due to their constant pursuit of high achievements. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a high achiever unless it starts to create self or health problems. What I often see is their focus has shifted and the simple things in life they once enjoyed are no longer in existence. Usually, the root cause of their burnout or emptiness lies not in their driven nature, but in their self-imposed beliefs, causing them to be more and do more, leaving aside the “goodness” that once existed and thrived in their lives.
Several common self-imposed beliefs hold high achievers back, but, there’s good news, there are simple strategies to rise above them.
Self-imposed belief 1: "I must always be in control."
High achievers often believe that control is the key to success. However, their need for control can lead to micromanaging, perfectionism, and an excessive workload. To break free from this belief:
Practice the art of surrender.
Learn to delegate tasks and trust others to handle responsibilities.
Embrace imperfection and recognise that "good enough" can be enough.
Take regular breaks and allow yourself to relax, knowing that control is not always necessary.
Self-imposed beliefs 2: "I must constantly achieve more."
High achievers often believe that their worth is tied to their accomplishments. This mindset can lead to an endless pursuit of success, leaving little time for self and health. To overcome this belief:
Focus on progressing with a few priorities at a time, not overachievement in everything at once.
Celebrate small wins and acknowledge the progress you've made.
Set realistic goals.
Recognise that your worth extends beyond your accomplishments – you are more than your achievements.
Self-imposed beliefs 3: "I must always be strong and stoic."
High achievers often believe that vulnerability is a weakness. However, suppressing emotions and hiding behind a mask of strength can lead to burnout and disconnection. To rise above this belief:
Embrace vulnerability (it’s a strength, not a weakness).
Practice self-compassion and acknowledge your emotions and how you are feeling.
Share your feelings with trusted friends, family, or a coach.
Recognise that all the above builds the framework for a more authentic life, that’s much less exhausting to uphold.
Self-imposed beliefs 4: "I have no time” or “I’m so busy."
This self-imposed belief is an unescapable obstacle for high achievers on the path to burnout. This belief perpetuates a cycle of overwork and exhaustion, as these high achievers convince themselves that they must constantly push beyond their physical and mental capabilities to meet expectations. Often, they neglect their well-being and prioritise all other tasks over time for self or health, creating a never-ending sense of urgency and stress. To overcome this belief:
Reassess your priorities. Challenge assumptions about what tasks are truly essential. Learn to say "no" (as uncomfortable as it can be for high achievers!) and delegate tasks when possible.
Schedule time for self and your health. Treat personal well-being as a non-negotiable part of your weekly schedule. Do what recharges and relaxes you, not others.
Acknowledge that essential to maintaining productivity is that your overall well-being is in good shape.
Use time blocking. Divide your day into focused blocks of time (30, 60 or 90 minutes) followed by regular mini breaks. This way you don’t get carried away with work and miss time to eat, move and stretch, stay hydrated and drink water, step outside for a breather or even take a much-needed bathroom break!
High achievers, it's time to break free from the self-imposed beliefs that drive you towards burnout and limit you from rising above to be at your best. By practicing surrender, focusing on progress, reframing time management, reassessing priorities, and embracing vulnerability, you can rise above these beliefs and cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. Remember, your worth extends far beyond the badge of honour that comes from working yourself to the grind and burnout.
Ready to take the first step and break through your self-imposed beliefs that are secretly holding you back from rising above your limits to be extraordinary? Book a 30-minute coaching consultation at Work & be Well by clicking here now.
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.
