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The Breakdown Moment: How High Achievers Miss the Warning Signs

5d ago 13:54

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The Breakdown Moment: How High Achievers Miss the Warning Signs

Do you know the signs that indicate you're near a breakdown moment? For high achievers, it's rarely obvious. We don't see it coming because we're so used to pushing through.

We normalize the stress, telling ourselves it's just this project or it's just a busy season. Or we believe that the next promotion, the next job, or the next vacation will finally make it better. But here's the warning most people miss: If you're in misalignment or you're making changes that don't solve the root cause, it's not a matter of if you'll hit the breakdown moment, it's a matter of when.

The problem for so many high-achieving leaders is the quiet normalization of exhaustion & the belief that pushing through will eventually pay off. But when you're in chronic misalignment, burnout at work isn't temporary — it's inevitable.

In this episode, I share my own story of hitting breakdown three times in my career. Then my coach asked me the question that changed everything: "Blake, why are you willing to sacrifice your health and your life for a company that isn't willing to give you what you need?"

That question changed everything.

Logging back on to work at night to "catch up", feeling the "Sunday Scaries", asking for help but not receiving it and pushing through anyway, or waking up more drained than restored, these are all high achiever burnout symptoms signaling you're on the path to your own breakdown moment.

If you're asking "How do I know if I'm headed for burnout?", this episode will give you the tools to catch the warning signs before something breaks.

Episode Highlights

The 3-Question Burnout Risk Assessment

[01:15] - How to know if you're at serious risk of a breakdown moment

[01:45] - Signs of burnout most high achievers miss

[02:30] - Scores that are blazing red warning signs

My Breakdown Story

[03:00] - Six months into my "dream job" & more miserable than ever

[04:15] - Crying in bathroom stalls & working till midnight

[05:30] - The Sunday Scaries & feeling trapped in an unsustainable cycle

The Question That Changed Everything

[06:45] - How my coach shifted my perspective

[07:30] - Recognizing 17+ years of sacrificing my life for my career

[08:15] - Why so many leaders reach this same breaking point

Why Burnout Cycles Get Worse Over Time

[10:00] - The gradual buildup of misalignment

[10:45] - Going through multiple burnouts

[11:15] - Executive burnout signs that show you're in chronic misalignment

Powerful Quotes

"The real question is, why are you willing to sacrifice your health and your life for a company that isn't willing to give you what you need?" —Blake's coach

"If you're in misalignment or you're making changes that don't solve the root cause, it's not a matter of if you'll hit the breakdown moment, it's a matter of when." —Blake Schofield

"The longer we stay in misalignment, it's like filling a glass higher and higher and higher with water until it spills over. We have to start reducing the water in that glass so that there's space to be able to start to create more positive momentum forward." —Blake Schofield

Resources Mentioned

Drained at the end of the day & want more presence in your life? In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type

Join our FREE live workshop & reclaim your energy (closes Oct 8th @ 11:59 pm). You'll uncover the 3 silent misalignments that create burnout, complete a live Energy Leak Audit to identify your biggest energy drains, and leave with a One-Move Action Plan. Save your spot at https://impactwithease.com/group-coaching-community-waitlist/

The Fastest Path to Clarity, Confidence & Your Next Level of Success: executive coaching for leaders navigating layered challenges. Whether you’re burned out, standing at a crossroads, or simply know you’re meant for more—you don’t have to figure it out alone. Go to impactwithease.com/coaching to apply!

13 episodes

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