The l.a.s.t. thing I want to do is get ready for work….how many meetings can I bail out of today?

Let’s DO this, I can’t wait to work in my zone of genius today!

Your brain is fried from being pulled in a million different directions a.l.l. day. Your shoulders and neck are tight, your low back is aching. You worked like a machine all day but you don’t feel any sense of completion or satisfaction. Glass of wine, anyone?

You are on an energy high, seeing the value of your work coming together and the impact of what you do playing out in positive ways. Sure, you poured out a lot of focus and energy but it feels GOOD.

You have a rock in your stomach, this tight knot that is heavy and fills you with dread. You are sorting through all of the “life hacks” and tools you are going to need to make it through the week without total burnout.

You are looking at your rhythm and schedule for the week and a smile settles in. You are excited about the work ahead, the downtime to rest and play, the space for working out, and that mid-week dinner out planned with friends.

You don’t want to answer honestly...you’re looking at the options on the questionnaire like depression/anxiety/stress/insomnia/fatigue/chronic pain and if you were honest, you would be checking every one of them. Plus, there’s the underlying stress of wondering if you are paying a high price in your health just to show up and perform at your job.

You’re a solid 9 out of 10. You feel good, your sleep is on point, you don’t have the 2pm afternoon crash, going for nice runs on the weekend and you’re not numbing out in front of the TV at 8pm.

You have nothing left in the tank and want to escape (and you feel guilty for that) but you’re torn, wanting to spend time with them because they are the most important things in your life. It feels like a catch 22.

You are riding that “satisfaction high” from work and you’re excited to see them, go on a spontaneous afternoon adventure, and settle in for a chill night at home, maybe read a book and enjoy the sunset on your back patio.

“I know this paycheck is substantial, it’s “goals” for so many…..but I thought it would feel more satisfying than this. Is this just how it is? Am I just ungrateful? I’m NOT happy but I know people would kill for a paycheck like this.”

“It blows my mind that I can serve the world in a way that is meaningful to me, have a positive impact, and make a living that supports the life that I value and want to create for myself and my family."

You briefly share your title and job description then immediately want to pivot the conversation back to them while the thought runs through your head “Have I just built a career that makes me feel trapped and empty? What if I can’t find my way out of this? It’s sucking the life out of me.”

It flows out without hesitation because what you do is it’s an extension of who you ARE and the activation of your zone of genius and honestly, you could talk about it all day long.

“Who am I kidding, I can’t slow down. Resting and unplugging is a luxury that I can’t afford. I have worked insanely hard to build my company/career and if I step away, it could crumble. I would be MORE stressed stepping away than if I just stay in the grind.”

“Book it, make the reservations! I don’t need to “earn” my rest and I know it’s going to only make me better when I get back. Plus, let’s be honest….I’m not stressed about it because my work can run without me for a little bit, I’ve created a sustainable system and boundaries to take breaks.”

You are wrestling with the question of “Can I take those few hours of time or should I be wrapping up that project? Do I even have a life to call my own anymore?”

"DONE. Making the reservations now. People will always have top priority and if my work is compromising that, then I’m not doing it right.”