Are You a High Achiever or Just Running on Overdrive? The Hidden Cost of Working Like a Machine

In our hustle-heavy culture, it’s easy to confuse working hard with overworking. Especially for professionals in high-stress careers—executives, therapists, healthcare workers, lawyers, founders, and leaders—the line between “high achiever” and “burned-out machine” often gets blurred.

As someone who works with high-performing individuals, I often see clients who pride themselves on their productivity, perfectionism, and their capacity to push through stress. But behind the scenes, many are struggling to breathe—let alone rest. They often can’t say no, fear being perceived as lazy, and feel stuck in a cycle of guilt and anxiety when they do try to slow down.

Here’s a simple mantra to keep in mind:

“You are a high achiever, not a machine.”

Let’s unpack what this actually means—and how to tell the difference between the two.

High Achiever vs. Machine: What’s the Difference?

Trait/Behavior	High Achiever	Machine Mode
Motivation	Purpose-driven, growth-oriented	Fear-driven, perfectionistic
Boundaries	Protects time and energy	Overcommits and overfunctions
Self-Talk	Encouraging, values rest	Critical, glorifies overwork
Response to Stress	Uses tools to regulate	Ignores stress until burnout
Productivity	Strategic and sustainable	Reactive and relentless

You might shift between these states without even realizing it. But the more time you spend in “machine mode,” the more you’re at risk for:

• Chronic anxiety
• Sleep issues
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Digestive issues and inflammation
• Burnout and decreased creativity

The Cost of Constant Hustle

Many high performers tell me they’re just “wired this way.” But the truth is, working nonstop isn’t sustainable—and it’s not what research supports.

Studies consistently show that breaks and downtime increase productivity. The brain needs time to process, consolidate memory, and spark creativity. Without space to rest, you’re just running a program on loop—no upgrades, no innovation, no repair.

Pushing through constant stress doesn’t make you a stronger leader. It makes you more vulnerable to burnout and less available to your team, clients, or loved ones.

Why It’s So Hard to Say No

Clients often say things like:

• “I don’t want to let my team down.”
• “My boss expects me to be available.”
• “If I stop, everything falls apart.”
• “People respect my work ethic.”

Underneath these beliefs is often a deeper fear: If I stop producing, I lose my value.

But here’s the truth: You are more than what you do. Your worth isn’t tied to your output. And people pleasing, over-functioning, and perfectionism are often trauma responses—not traits of true leadership.

Use Your Anxiety Before It Uses You

Here’s a reframe: A little anxiety can be useful—if you catch it early.

If you feel the twinge of tension, the creeping resentment, the edge of overwhelm—that’s your system asking for a reset. If you ignore it, it builds. Then it becomes panic, shame, and complete shutdown.

But when you tend to the small signs, you stay ahead of the wave.

Quick Wins: Micro-Interventions That Work

You don’t need an hour-long meditation or a weekend retreat to feel better. Start small. These one-minute tools can make a noticeable difference:

• 60-Second Body Scan: Close your eyes and scan from head to toe. Notice tension. Soften your jaw. Relax your shoulders.
• Box Breathing: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4. Repeat 3 times.
• Micro-Check-In: Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? What do I need? One word answers are enough.
• Tension Release: Stand up, shake out your arms, or do five wall pushups.
• Name a Win: Write down one thing you did well today. Let yourself feel it.

These micro-moments reset your nervous system. They create the space for sustainable achievement.

Reclaiming Balance Doesn’t Make You Lazy

You don’t need to stop being ambitious. But you do need to stop abandoning yourself in the process.

Set one boundary this week. Cancel one non-essential task. Say no once without over-explaining. That’s how you reclaim your energy.

And if you need help learning how to do this—this is the work I do. I help high performers stay high-performing—without losing themselves.

Let’s stop equating success with self-sacrifice.

Ready to shift from surviving to thriving? If you’re done living on autopilot and want real tools to quiet the noise, reset your nervous system, and build a life that’s full—not just busy—let’s work together. Your high-achieving life should include joy, connection, and time to breathe.