The Tightrope of Transformation

Balancing Hope & Reality

Hi, Friends!

I’m back in London today, reconnecting with clients, friends, and family. Yesterday, in a conversation about Live Your Opus, someone said, ‘It’s fantastic what you’re doing, supporting people who might be feeling burnt out.’ I appreciated her interest and encouragement and clarified that becoming a healthy high achiever involves much more than simply avoiding burnout; it’s about carving a path to meaningful, sustainable success that truly fulfills you.?

‘But if people aren’t burnt out, doesn’t that mean they’re happy and on a path that works for them?’ she asked.

This belief—that if you’re not struggling, your life must be working for you—needs rethinking.

Research reveals that seven out of ten people live with chronic stress and burnout symptoms. This stress often ties back to work but extends to how individuals experience life outside their jobs.?

Many lack a connection to meaningful work, community, and even their relationships with themselves. The result? A pervasive sense of malaise or languishing, as Adam Grant describes it.

From my vantage point as a healthy high-achievement expert and executive coach, I witness hard truths that many, myself included, have faced. Perhaps you’ll see yourself reflected here.

• Most of us construct lives and careers that function well enough and accept that as sufficient—until “good enough” feels inadequate.
• We often unknowingly follow paths laid out by others or continue on paths we chose long ago, which is acceptable until they become unfulfilling.
• It’s common to allow ingrained habits shaped by our upbringing to dictate our outcomes, relieving us of responsibility for our behaviors (until we decide to change them).

Even those who achieve remarkable success face more struggles than you might imagine.

The good news? We can change these mindsets. We can create a new reality, change ourselves, and grow. Neuroplasticity is real. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

However, I’m grappling with something and would love to hear your thoughts.

As I write my book, these letters, and web copy, it’s tempting to share only the truths people want to hear: Change is possible. You can create your life and live your dreams. I believe these truths because I’ve witnessed them in my life and with clients. But I also know they can sound like marketing empty promises.

That’s because there’s no golden highway to the life or career you envision. Change is nonlinear and often messy, even with solid processes and tools in place. Gaining clarity about where you want to go and who you need to become and charting that course requires deep engagement and commitment—from you as the driver and me—or another coach—as your guide.

As one client aptly put it, “Now I really have to be the adult in my life.”

Transitioning from ‘not good enough’ to ‘my best life’ demands that you show up for yourself daily—not just for a week or a month, but consistently, embracing the ups and downs.

This journey often involves letting go of outdated habits and long-standing behaviors in favor of adopting new ones. This work is hard to do alone, so working with a coach or within a coaching community is beneficial.

Those who put in the effort discover a whole new level of play. By taking ownership as the authors of their lives, they step into the driver’s seat in a new way, connect to their dreams, find renewed energy, and move away from outdated ways or people that don’t align with their new path. These individuals achieve success that feels as good as it looks—the kind I promise to help you find.

Yet, attaining this level of success isn’t easy. If it were, everyone would lead lives filled with happiness and fulfillment. Ah! A world where everyone lived their Opus—now that would bring me great joy!

Now, back to my challenge:

Live Your Opus isn’t just about well-being; it’s about refusing to tolerate parts of yourself, your life, or your career that don’t serve you. It’s about daring to build something better and becoming the person capable of achieving that.

I want more people to awaken to their possibilities. But when I write about change, I wonder:?

• Do you want to hear the hard truths about how to get there??
• Would you prefer a practical approach with steps you can take today???
• Or, do you enjoy inspiring stories of those who’ve already made it?

Tell me: How can I best help you take those first steps to whatever you (secretly) desire for your life? I’m eager to hear your thoughts.

As always, thanks for being here. If this resonates with you, please share this letter with others who might benefit from it.

And, if you’re keen to make the most of the time between now and the yearend, catch these recent articles from The 90 Days to Live Your Opus Challenge over on Substack:

• It’s Not About Goal-Setting Or Productivity: There’s a Bigger Game to Play
• Need Some Headspace? Reflection is Revealing
• One Choice Could Change Everything: What If You’re One Decision Away from a Breakthrough?

Until next time, be well!

I’m Janine Mathó, and I am writing Live Your Opus (forthcoming, 2025), a book for ambitious people who want ‘more’ in their lives, careers, or businesses but sometimes struggle to get there. Thanks for being here. This newsletter features articles adapted from Live Your Opus with Janine Mathó on Substack .

Subscribe here or on Substack and join hundreds who enjoy my letters on Mondays and Thursdays. They feature real-life insights, tools, and inspiration to live your dreams without sacrificing your well-being. Thanks again!