Finding Success Without Burnout
Alexa Hanshaw
Assistant Director at EY & Business Owner | Supporting your employees to reclaim their energy & manage their stress.
Success looks glamorous from the outside.
The promotions.?
The thriving business.?
Juggling everything and appearing effortless.
You’ve worked hard. You’ve checked the boxes. You’ve climbed the ladder.
But behind the scenes is another story.
Instead of fulfillment, there’s exhaustion. Instead of confidence, there’s imposter syndrome. Instead of balance, there’s burnout.
So, how do you avoid the above??
Protect your energy. ?Let me break it down for you.
Why Time Management Alone Won’t Save You
You’ve probably tried the usual productivity hacks:
? Color-coded planners
? Time-blocking strategies
? Waking up at 5 AM to “get more done”
And yet, the to-do list never ends.
That’s because time isn’t the problem—energy is. You can schedule every hour of your day, but if you’re constantly drained, no amount of planning will make you feel in control.
Protect and replenish YOUR energy.
Here’s how.
1) Say No Without Guilt
What is the most powerful word a high-achieving woman can use? “No.”
?? No to meetings that don’t require your presence.
?? No to people who drain you.
?? No to commitments that don’t align with your goals.
As Harvard Business Review highlights, creating work-life boundaries is similar to exercise; we know it's good, but it's hard to implement [1]. When you stop saying yes to everything, you create space for what moves you forward. So, set boundaries unapologetically.?
?? What to do: Before committing to anything, ask: Does this align with my values and priorities? If not, decline—without guilt.
2) Stop Treating Rest Like a Reward
Most women only rest when they’ve “earned” it—after the work is done, the kids are settled, and everyone else is taken care of.
Let's be clear: Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement.
Schedule rest like you schedule meetings. An article from the American Psychological Association explains that chronic stress reduces productivity and decision-making abilities—meaning pushing through is actually slowing you down [2].
?? What to do: Block off time for rest and guard it like an important meeting. Whether it’s a walk, a book, or 10 minutes of silence. Make it non-negotiable.
3. Align Your Work With Your Natural Energy Cycles
Have you noticed how some tasks feel easy at certain times of the day while others feel impossible?
That’s because your brain and body operate on biological rhythms, and fighting them leads to exhaustion.
Instead of forcing yourself to be productive all day, work with your natural energy, not against it.
?? What to do: Track when you feel most focused vs. drained, then adjust your schedule to match your energy peaks.
4. Focus on the Right Metrics of Success
Most women chase success using external validation—titles, income, and recognition. However, true success is how fulfilled you feel when you achieve it.
? Are you excited about your work?
? Do you have energy for the things that matter?
? Are you living in alignment with your values?
Define success on your terms.
?? What to do: Redefine success beyond “achievements.” How do you want to feel in your life? Build your goals around that.
Signs You’re Running on Empty
If you keep running on empty, the success you’ve worked so hard for will feel draining.
But when you refocus your mindset, you can maintain success and elevate it.
So, What’s Next?
Success is protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and working in alignment with your strengths.
? Say no to what drains you.
? Prioritize rest as fuel, not a reward.
? Work with your natural energy cycles.
? Define success that fulfills you.
In the end, true success is reaching your goals and feeling good when you get there.
If you want to build a version of success that feels good, let’s talk. Book a Clarity Call, and let’s create a strategy that helps you thrive without burnout.
Until next time,
Alexa
References:
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#WomenInBusiness #HighPerformance #EnergyManagement #SuccessMindset #WorkLifeBalance #Leadership?