The Art of Optimizing Recovery in a Fast-Paced Corporate Environment or Small Business

Have you ever gotten subliminal messages all around you and suddenly you have that "AHA" moment? I had one of those last fall when I was flying back from our industry association conference IASB Engage, where I always love connecting with colleagues and discussing what's next for the speaking industry. On my flight back, my mind was racing with ideas but then panic set in as I started thinking, "How will I get these new ideas out when I was already swamped both personally and professionally?"

Then it dawned?on me - whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was burnt out. I had lost the healthy balance between rest and recovery and work, and realized that it was holding me back from realizing my full potential. But then, as so often happens in my line of work, the right message found me. I was working on a campaign for one of my speakers and one of her videos struck a chord with me that got me back on track.

Dr. Karen MacNeill is a performance psychologist, mental performance consultant, and professional speaker who bridges the elite worlds of Olympic athletics and Fortune 500 leadership. Over the years she guided countless corporate leaders to realize that in their relentless pursuit of excellence, they confront a challenge akin to that of Olympic athletes, which is sustaining peak performance while mastering:

The art of optimizing recovery amidst a constant stream of pressure and demands.

Boy was I feeling the demands, and my answer was always "Do more."

But Dr. MacNeill often speaks about the vital balance between peak performance and recovery, which the best athletes have mastered, and it is something we need to master in the corporate and small business world too.

As Dr. MacNeill advises, there are many factors that influence how you can reach your full potential amid the increasing complexity, rapid pace of change, and unpredictability of today’s workplace. Some companies have already seen the benefits when they recognize the demands and pressures their leaders and employees face, but also proactively invest in training and tools to help their leaders reset.

How Can Organizations Help Their People Reset?

? Encourage Meaningful Downtime – Promote a culture where rest and recovery are valued, not just as a perk but as a performance strategy. Whether it’s designated no-meeting blocks, company-wide recharge days, or flexible work schedules, downtime fuels long-term productivity.

? Train Leaders in Mental Resilience – Equip leaders with strategies to recognize burnout in themselves and their teams. Resilient leaders foster resilient teams, helping employees manage pressure while maintaining peak performance.

? Create Spaces for Recovery & Reflection – High performers, like elite athletes, don’t just push harder—they optimize their recovery. Organizations can introduce wellness initiatives, mindfulness programs, or even simple reflection moments during team meetings to help employees reset.

? Normalize Conversations About Energy Management – Performance isn’t just about time management; it’s about energy management. Encouraging open discussions about workload, stress, and recovery can shift workplace culture from burnout-driven to sustainable high performance.

As for me, I have started applying small wins to my reset plan that are simply about being more present in my downtime moments and learning to quiet that part of my brain that always wants to go, go go. Because Optimizing Recovery is one of the greatest tools any of us can have if we want to ultimately sustain peak performance.

For more about Dr. Karen MacNeill visit her website and reach out to her directly: https://macneillperformance.com/ She is an incredible leadership speaker, and her content is creating an impact.

#PeakPerformance #MentalResilience #EnergyManagement

What’s one small step you can take today to prioritize your own recovery and reset? I know Dr. MacNeill would love to hear your thoughts and build on the conversation.