How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out
Next Big Idea Club
Where thought leaders converge, where ideas transform into action, and where books become a gateway to a brighter future
The Next Big Idea Daily newsletter (SUBSCRIBE) is written by me, Michael Kovnat , and gathers insights from today’s leading non-fiction authors. It’s a companion to our Next Big Idea Daily podcast, available on Apple or Spotify .
Are you a high achiever? Well, if you read this newsletter or listen to the companion podcast , I've got to assume you are. You're someone who appreciates the life-changing power of big ideas, so I'll go out on a limb and guess that you're accomplishing quite a bit in your life and career. Congratulations. But the down side of this big life of yours is that it can come with a lot of stress and anxiety. You've got an overbooked calendar, a towering inbox, and people who are expecting a lot from you. It's enough to make you hyperventilate.
So take a breath. I'm here to tell you that pushing yourself to meet goals and make meaningful contributions is admirable, but it shouldn't come at the cost of your mental or emotional health.
Fine, you say, but if I prioritize self-care, how on earth am I going to get ahead? Those emails aren't going to send themselves, are they? And while going off on a wellness retreat might sound lovely, it's not the kind of thing hardcore, badass achievers like us do, is it? We don't want to get soft.
OK, so here's a middle path, as suggested by Mary Anderson, Ph.D. , author of the new book The Happy High Achiever: 8 Essentials to Overcome Anxiety, Manage Stress, and Energize Yourself for Success―Without Losing Your Edge .
Mary is a licensed clinical psychologist who started noticing a pattern among her patients -- talented and productive people were carrying around a heavy burden of self-doubt and worry. In response, she put together a science-based guide for identifying the cognitive distortions that are keeping accomplished men and women from experiencing the confidence and joy that they might. Calling attention to mental errors like all-or-nothing thinking and "should" statements, she offers ideas for eliminating stress while continuing to perform at a high level, without having to crash and burn and run off to an ashram.
Hear Mary explain how to burn bright without burning out:
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We also heard a lot of other big ideas on the podcast this week, like:
So have a listen to these ideas and start your journey to becoming a healthy, happy high achiever. As Mary says, "You got this!"
By the way, if you're interested in having these and thousands of other big ideas right in your pocket, download the Next Big Idea app .