This article truly spoke to me—it felt like it was written specifically for my experience. The need to accomplish something more consumed me, yet I couldn’t define what that meant until I read the article. I pushed myself, believing that every moment spent relaxing, reading, or listening to music was time wasted. I was chasing an undefined goal, striving for something I couldn’t pinpoint. And despite my efforts, achievements no longer felt meaningful without external validation from my bosses.
Thank you for sharing this piece. It has given me much-needed clarity and reassurance, and I appreciate it immensely.
I'm so glad, Jay. I know that experience because that was me (and still is sometimes!)
The long-term challenge is to keep asking "What do I want? Why do I want that?" and to deeply listen to where those answers are coming from. Is it for that validation? Or is it from a place of deep alignment to your values, your strengths, or the future you want to create in the world? One is better than the other there.
I wish I could say it's easy work to do... But what I can absolutely say is that this work is important and meaningful, even if it is hard.
It’s like a war story from the frontlines of high-achiever burnout, written with the clarity of someone who barely made it out but is determined to help others find a better way.
There’s a stillness in your writing that makes me feel like I’m not just reading — I’m being read. The way you captured the intrinsic negotiations we have with ourselves before we act (or don’t) was both acutely sharp and deeply human.
I explore similar questions through a more systems-thinking lens, but reading this reminded me that clarity isn’t always a product of structure. Sometimes it’s born from stillness.
Subscribed, and looking forward to reading more of your work. Cheers!
Nik, honored by this comment and thank you for taking the time to share. I'm so glad you found it meaningful and helpful. This particular article has been my journey of the last few years, so I'm glad the experience on the 'frontlines' made its way onto the page for you, and hopefully others, to find. This work matters for all of us, so a tip of the cap to you for being willing to do it because it's not always fun or pretty. Appreciate you.
This article truly spoke to me—it felt like it was written specifically for my experience. The need to accomplish something more consumed me, yet I couldn’t define what that meant until I read the article. I pushed myself, believing that every moment spent relaxing, reading, or listening to music was time wasted. I was chasing an undefined goal, striving for something I couldn’t pinpoint. And despite my efforts, achievements no longer felt meaningful without external validation from my bosses.
Thank you for sharing this piece. It has given me much-needed clarity and reassurance, and I appreciate it immensely.
I'm so glad, Jay. I know that experience because that was me (and still is sometimes!)
The long-term challenge is to keep asking "What do I want? Why do I want that?" and to deeply listen to where those answers are coming from. Is it for that validation? Or is it from a place of deep alignment to your values, your strengths, or the future you want to create in the world? One is better than the other there.
I wish I could say it's easy work to do... But what I can absolutely say is that this work is important and meaningful, even if it is hard.
This article hits different!
It’s like a war story from the frontlines of high-achiever burnout, written with the clarity of someone who barely made it out but is determined to help others find a better way.
There’s a stillness in your writing that makes me feel like I’m not just reading — I’m being read. The way you captured the intrinsic negotiations we have with ourselves before we act (or don’t) was both acutely sharp and deeply human.
I explore similar questions through a more systems-thinking lens, but reading this reminded me that clarity isn’t always a product of structure. Sometimes it’s born from stillness.
Subscribed, and looking forward to reading more of your work. Cheers!
Nik, honored by this comment and thank you for taking the time to share. I'm so glad you found it meaningful and helpful. This particular article has been my journey of the last few years, so I'm glad the experience on the 'frontlines' made its way onto the page for you, and hopefully others, to find. This work matters for all of us, so a tip of the cap to you for being willing to do it because it's not always fun or pretty. Appreciate you.