The Marathon Mindset: Building a Career That Lasts Without Burning Out

For years, I was that person who never said no. Every one ‘great job’ led to three more projects. Every compliment fueled my drive to take on even more. I was caught in what I now recognise as the dark side of excellence: the more competent you become, the more work finds its way to your desk.

I thrived on the praise and fed that part of me that had always sought approval through achievement. I'd show up to work even when I was unwell, convinced that was what dedication looked like. I wore my work ethic like a badge of honor, believing that pushing through was what separated the high achievers from everyone else. I did not know then that I could not have been more wrong.

The breaking point

Until one day, I literally could not get out of bed.

The person who never took sick days was finally forced to stop – not by choice, but by complete burnout. My body and mind had been sending signals for months, that I had systematically ignored or pushed through. The irony wasn't lost on me: in my quest to be indispensable, I had made myself completely unavailable.

The uncomfortable truth about recovery

That breakdown became my breakthrough, though it didn't feel like it at the time. As traumatic as the experience was, it became a source of immense personal growth. I learned to:

• Listen to my body and mind before they scream for attention

• Practice self-compassion instead of self-criticism

• Set boundaries that protect my ability to keep showing up consistently

• Recognise that sustainable performance requires intentional recovery

But here's the truth of what this involved in practice: as someone with people-pleasing tendencies (still a work in progress), protecting myself and putting my own health first was incredibly challenging. The guilt was overwhelming. How could I let people down? How could I risk not being seen as reliable, committed, strong enough?

This internal battle took me years to work through. It required deep self-reflection and vulnerability – two things that felt completely at odds with the ‘always on, always strong, always capable’ identity I had built. I had to learn that asking for help wasn't weakness; it was wisdom. That saying no to one thing meant saying yes to something more important: my long-term ability to contribute meaningfully.

The ripple effect of boundaries

Here is what I wish I had known earlier: we have a responsibility to communicate what works and what doesn't. When we stay silent about our limits, others will naturally do what's best for them – because they don't know any better. Our silence becomes implicit consent to an unsustainable pace.

Now, as a people manager, I constantly remind myself that I don't only owe these wellbeing practices to myself, but also to the people I work with. I have a role in championing this culture – ensuring that striving for excellence does not come at the expense of wellbeing. When leaders model sustainable practices, it gives everyone permission to prioritise their own health and longevity.

Your boundaries are not just about you. They are about modelling sustainable success for everyone around you, and creating an environment where people can do their best work without burning out in the process.

From personal experience to professional practice

Inevitably, this journey fundamentally shaped my approach to leadership and career coaching. I have seen too many talented professionals hit the same wall I did – achieving short-term success at the expense of long-term sustainability. In my coaching practice, I focus heavily on helping leaders and ambitious professionals build careers that don't just reach impressive heights, but can be maintained over time.

The most successful people I work with aren't those who can sprint the hardest; they are the ones who have learned to pace themselves for the marathon. They understand that peak performance isn't about constant intensity – it is about knowing when to push, when to maintain, and when to recover.

Wellbeing isn't a luxury to be considered after success; it’s the foundation that makes sustained success possible. When we treat our energy, focus, and emotional reserves as finite resources that need to be managed strategically, we make better decisions about where to focus our efforts.

A few questions for you to reflect on

If you are a leader looking to build a sustainable culture, then have a think about the following:

• How are you modeling healthy boundaries and sustainable work practices for your team?

• What signals are you sending about what ‘commitment’ and ‘excellence’ look like in your organisation?

• How do you recognise and reward sustainable performance versus just short-term results?

• What systems do you have in place to identify and address burnout before it becomes critical?

• How do you create psychological safety for team members to communicate their limits and needs?

And if you are an ambitious and high-achieving professional looking to design your sustainable career path, ask yourself:

• What are your early warning signs of burnout, and do you have systems to recognise them?

• How do you define success beyond external validation and achievement?

• What boundaries do you need to set to protect your long-term ability to perform at your best?

• How comfortable are you with disappointing others in service of your own wellbeing?

• What would change if you viewed your career as a marathon rather than a series of sprints?

• Who in your network models the kind of sustainable success you want to achieve?

Want more help?

If you are struggling to balance ambition with wellbeing, or looking to create a more sustainable approach to leadership, I'd love to connect. Building thriving careers that don't come at the cost of your health is exactly what I help leaders and professionals achieve. Book a free, no obligation discovery call to explore how we can work together to create your sustainable path to success.