The Painful Truth About Being a High-Performer: Professional Burnout Is REAL
There’s a dirty little secret behind every “crushing it” post you see on Instagram or LinkedIn: no one’s life or career is really THAT together, no matter what they share online.
The truth is, most high-performing professionals are just one bad quarter away from a total meltdown (and usually, the worse their reality is, the better they’re making it look on social media).
It’s a total epidemic, and on the surface, it doesn’t make sense; how can all these high-achievers be on the verge of a breakdown?
They appear polished and put-together, but inside they’re a broken mess – and that’s exactly the problem.
As a business therapist, I’m the help warriors like this need – don’t believe me?
Keep reading to learn why driven professionals are struggling, and how business therapy can make lasting change in their lives and work.
The Shit They Don’t Tell You in Success Seminars: Burnout in the Workplace Torches Your Career
If you’re a high-performer reading this, I’m about to drop a bomb on you…
being successful is the loneliest fucking job in the world.
They don’t say it’s lonely on top for no reason – it’s true, even if you only APPEAR to be on top, but you’re really just barely hanging on.
That’s because there’s a brutal reality going on behind the polished exterior. You’ve got plenty of your own problems to deal with, and you hate asking for help.
In fact, YOU’RE the one OTHER people turn to for help – and it’s exhausting. There’s a whole psychological minefield that comes with being the person everyone depends on.
You may think you can carry that burden, but it’s too heavy for anyone to bear for very long.
Not only are you juggling the millions of issues you’re dealing with, but you’ve got everyone else’s problems on your plate, too.
And you can’t ask for help – that would mean exposing yourself as not having it all together.
That would make you weak.
Right?!
…Wrong!!
And that kind of thinking edges you closer to that breakdown I mentioned earlier. Preventing burnout starts with acknowledging that you need support.
The Myths About High-Performers I’m Blowing Wide Open
There are a few myths most high-performers believe, even subconsciously, about themselves and others.
I’m here to bring them to the front of your mind and bust them wide open.
Let’s do this!
Myth 1: Success means you’ve got your shit together
Spoiler alert: NOPE!
You can be very successful in one area of your life, while others are completely falling apart.
How many people do you know who have wildly successful careers, but their love lives are trash?
Or how many people have great families, but their health is failing?
Success doesn’t mean you’ve got it all figured out. And, actually, the appearance of success doesn’t even mean true success is happening behind the scenes – like those shiny, curated Instagram posts that only show you the highlights reels of other people’s lives and careers, when the reality is a lot messier and more complicated.
This is where imposter syndrome anxiety often takes root.
Myth 2: High-performers don’t break down (or need burnout treatment)
Oh yes, they do – I’ve seen it plenty of times!
In fact, I’d argue that they are MORE prone to breaking down.
You can only push yourself to be the best, be a high-achiever, AND carry everyone else’s weight for so long.
A meltdown is practically inevitable.
It’s just that most driven folks try to hide these breakdowns, instead of using them as a point of connection or a cue to ask for help. Which brings me to…
Myth 3: Asking for help is a sign of weakness
This is a tough pill for driven individuals to swallow, and it takes practice.
Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness. It’s actually a sign of great strength.
Not only do you know your own limits, but you’re also unafraid to connect with others and reach out for help.
There’s a reason why we don’t do our own medical treatments or build our own houses – sometimes, others are better equipped to do certain things for us than we are, and it takes intelligence, self-awareness, and bravery to admit that.
Therapy for entrepreneurs can be a first step.
The Demons Eating High-Performers Alive: Imposter Syndrome, Professional Burnout, and More
High-performers have a lot of drive and skills that others may lack, but they’re also plagued by very specific demons.
I’ve found that burnout in the workplace, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, anxiety, and people-pleasing are all common issues with my high-achieving clients.
Here’s a little bit about each of these demons – see if you recognize them:
Burnout: The silent professional killer nobody wants to talk about. It keeps you exhausted and depleted, until you’re just barely getting by each day. There may not be signs others can see, but inside, you’re screaming for some rest and recovery. Burnout treatment is crucial before you crash completely.
Perfectionism: The most elegant form of self-destruction. Everything has to match your vision and be done exactly correctly. This often leads to taking on too much responsibility (because you’re the only one who can do things “right”) and procrastination (getting started is overwhelming when you can envision the final product, and there are so many steps you have to take to get things the way you want them). Not to mention, you beat yourself up when anything goes wrong, making yourself your own worst enemy.
Imposter syndrome: That voice in your head that’s a total asshole. The one that tells you you’re not good enough, not smart enough, not tough enough, not worthy enough. You’re a phony, and soon everyone else is going to see it and call you out. You don’t deserve your success, and you only got it through luck. (FYI: none of this stuff is true; the imposter syndrome anxiety demon is just a real fucking jerk.)
People-pleasing: The exhausting performance that’s killing your soul. You don’t want to miss out on opportunities, burn bridges, or deal with confrontation, so you people-please yourself to death. The truth is, when you try so hard to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one, least of all yourself. Eliminating people-pleasing helps you produce better work, allows you to focus on building quality relationships, and have a life that feels like it truly belongs to you.
Why Traditional Burnout Counseling is Bullshit
Here’s the honest truth: if you’re a high-performing professional, traditional therapy or business coaching won’t work for you. Cookie-cutter advice that sounds like it was written for a motivational poster doesn’t do shit when you’re on the verge of a mental and professional breakdown. Most coaches are selling hope, not actual results.
There’s a massive gap between surface-level support and real transformation, and you need the real deal.
Your burnout treatment needs to be tailored to you.
So, where can you turn when you need help getting your personal life, mental health, AND your career together?
Well, that’s where I come in…
My Approach: Where Business Therapy Meets Street-Smart Strategy
I’m a business therapist who works from the intersection of therapy and career coaching, so I’m uniquely equipped to help you. I know how to break down the walls that driven professionals build; I understand the specific problems you face and how they impact every aspect of life.
You don’t have to change everything about yourself; I’ll help you turn your biggest struggles into your greatest strengths.
You’re more than just another high achiever to me.
I firmly believe that understanding the human being behind the professional is the only real path to success.
Your identity and your business are so closely tied, it’s almost impossible to work on one without the other.
And, with my help, you can make lasting changes in every area.
The Transformation: From Survival to Domination
So, what does it look like, when you start shifting from survival mode to world domination?
No more burnout – you have an actual entrepreneur work-life balance, and you’re no longer running on fumes and caffeine.
You don’t get stuck when things aren’t “perfect”: you learn to adapt and pivot, and to accept when things are good enough to move on with confidence.
And, speaking of confidence, no more imposter syndrome demon voice in your head – you know your worth and believe in yourself.
And people-pleasing? Forget it – you’re focused on pleasing yourself, which improves your quality of life ten-fold.
A Direct Message to the Warriors Still Fighting Alone
If you’re a high-performing professional who’s struggling, consider this your wake-up call.
You’re not broken – you’re just playing a different game.
And your struggle is actually your greatest asset – you wouldn’t be suffering from burnout, perfectionism, etc. if you weren’t such a high-achiever and go-getter.
I won’t try to erase those parts of you, the good things that help you succeed and are core to your identity and sense of self-worth.
But I can help you separate the good from the bad, and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that block you from living your best life.
Because you really can have it all – an amazing career and a flourishing personal life.
Together, we can get you feeling like you’re riding a wave instead of like you’re barely treading water. I’ve helped countless high-achieving professionals find their ideal entrepreneur work life balance, while growing their careers, building their personal lives, and generally boosting their sense of happiness and wellbeing.
Listen, this isn’t for everyone.
This is for the real ones — the ones who want to make true, lasting change in their lives.
As a driven professional, you’re already at an advantage.
Want to find out if we are a good fit? Take the first step to stopping the insanity and actually living – reach out.
I’m one of the best therapists if you’re seeking mental wellness as an entrepreneur and high-achiever.
I provide online therapy in Washington, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and Florida.
I also offer specialized EMDR therapy for the deep-seated shit that may be contributing to your struggles.
I’m here, ready and waiting to help equip you with the tools you need to have the life you really want and deserve.