🦾 Confessions of a Burnt-Out High Performer: The Day Success Caught Up With Me

Hey Insider,

December 21, 2024, one day before vacation. I'm sitting on my couch when it hits me - a wave of exhaustion so heavy I can barely think. That's when I finally admitted it: I needed this break badly. Too badly.

It was a literal wave as I leaned over and rested my head on Heather’s shoulder.

She had never seen me like this, I’m the Alpha in the room in most situations, but this was different, WAY different.

The scariest part? I didn't even know I was sliding. On paper, everything looked perfect:

• Building a new service offering which has massive traction

• Managing clients across 8 time zones who are happy with how we do our work for them

• Outsourced migrating an entire tech stack which has needed to be done

• Landing new business every month

But success was masking something else entirely. My burnout was hidden in the activity and motions.

The Slide I Didn't See

Week One (Early December): "Just a little afternoon fatigue. Nothing another coffee won't fix."

Week Two: "Weird, I can't seem to get my meals right. Either not eating or overdoing it. Must be the busy schedule."

Week Three: "Why am I taking so long to start work after my workout? I used to jump right in..."

The Warning Signs I Ignored (Sound Familiar?)

[✓] Focus slipping - simple tasks taking longer

[✓] Sleep quality deteriorating

[✓] Nutrition going sideways

[✓] Post-workout routines slowing down

[✓] Tasks getting harder to prioritize

The Breaking Point

That Thursday on my couch, it all caught up. The overwhelming exhaustion wasn't just about needing a vacation - it was my body and mind finally being honest with me.

And here's the truth that hit me: I used to be expert at catching these signs early. I was the guy who monitored everything. Who stayed ahead of burnout.

Until I didn't.

What This Cost Me

Not just energy. Not just focus. It cost me the very thing I thought I was protecting by pushing through:

• Decisions taking twice as long

• Focus disappearing by mid-afternoon

• Simple tasks becoming mountains

• Clarity turning to fog

The Wake-Up Call System I Built

After that day, I created a simple daily check-in:

Morning Metrics (Rate 1-10):

• Nutrition

• Workout Quality

• Energy Level

• Focus

What I Need You to Know

If you're reading this thinking "I'm fine, just busy," that was me three weeks ago. Here's what I learned:

1. The Most Dangerous Moment It's not when you're failing. It's when you're succeeding but something feels "off."

2. The Real Warning Signs

   • When simple decisions feel hard

   • When your routine starts slipping

   • When you can't put things in the right order

   • When you're explaining away fatigue

3. The Non-Negotiables I Rediscovered

   • Consistent bedtime

   • Structured meals

   • Protected routines

   • Regular self-checks

Sales Fit Challenge 💪💼

I'm not just sharing this story. I'm asking you to do what I didn't:

Check Your Reality Rate yourself (1-10):

• Daily Sleep

• Daily Nutrition

• Daily Focus

• Daily Energy

• Relationships, at home and work.

1. Find Your Warning Sign

   • What's slipping?

   • What are you explaining away?

   • What feels "off"?

2. Set Your Lines

   • What's your sleep minimum?

   • Which routine is sacred?

   • What's your early warning sign?

The Promise

I'm sharing this because we don't talk about these moments enough. We share the victories, the metrics, the successes. But these quiet slides? They can cost us everything if we don't catch them.

What's your first sign that it's time to pay attention? Let me know in our Facebook Group!