Crushing it, but also kinda getting crushed?

I spoke with a Systems Analyst this week who recently received a positive annual review. It was a glowing report. Not one marker off point. AND YET… their manager asked them, “Everything looks great, but we should talk about how you can add more value to the team.” 

For context, this client has been treading water. For a few weeks, we’ve been working on how to manage the stress and overwhelm. For a while, they’ve been feeling disconnected from their partner, friends and wellbeing.

They are newly learning how to not spend all their energy spoons on work. 

And still their manager is asking for more. Like, maybe you could bring more energy to team meetings?!

It feels like a gut punch because in that moment, we know it will never be enough. What could have been a moment of celebration between my client and their manager turned sour.

And we are told this is “success.”

When our culture doesn’t allow the respite we so desperately need and there’s no end in sight, what’s the solution? 

I wrote this next part to a different client this week: 

I once heard Matthew McConaughey (on a podcast) say it's useful to learn how to run downhill. He was talking about running down hill being a skill of being successful. It's the endurance required to maintain that high level. There's always going to be another “uphill moment” in the future (the next role, the next setback, etc), so how can we enjoy the momentum as we go along without tripping or falling flat? 

You are skilled at this, because you've been practicing it all along. 

It's your Personal Pillars. 

It's tuning into your natural rhythms. 

When your intuition says slow down, how quick are you to honor its wisdom? 

When your emotions are bittersweet, how quick are you to allow them to just be as they are without judgment. 

What wisdom do your internal systems bring? 

My vision for us is that we are all skilled at this.