If you’re a high performer who wants to grow in your career and be present for the people you love, this conversation is for you.
Most of the women I work with aren’t overwhelmed because they’re undisciplined or disorganized. They’re overwhelmed because they’re trying to live up to expectations that no longer fit the season of life they’re actually in. That mismatch quietly drains energy, fuels guilt, and makes even “success” feel unsatisfying.
In this episode, I sat down with Cherylanne Skolnicki, founder and CEO of Brilliant Balance, former Procter & Gamble executive, and trusted advisor to women leaders across business, medicine, and law. This was a conversation I personally needed — and one I think will resonate deeply if you’re ambitious and tired.
We talk about pacing, seasons of life, perfectionism, outdated definitions of success, and what real balance looks like when your ambition still matters.
Why High Performers Feel Burned Out (Even When They’re Doing Everything “Right”)
Misaligned Expectations Create Silent Pressure
Cherylanne shares something I see constantly: many high-achieving women believe life should always move up and to the right — in every area, all at once. Career, home, health, relationships, energy. Growth everywhere, all the time.
But real life doesn’t work that way.
Life comes in seasons, and fulfillment comes from matching your pace and priorities to the season you’re in — not forcing constant expansion when your energy or circumstances don’t support it.
Seasons of Life: Growth Isn’t the Only Productive Mode
Why Stewardship and Optimization Matter
One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation is the reminder that not every season is about growth. Some seasons are about:
- Stewardship — maintaining what you’ve built
- Optimization — creating systems that make life smoother
- Recovery — restoring energy after intense output
Trying to live in growth mode year-round creates chaos, both at work and at home. We talked about how skipping these stabilizing seasons often leads to burnout, anxiety, and resentment — even when things look successful on paper.
Outdated Definitions of Success Keep Women Stuck
When “Up and to the Right” Stops Working
Many women hold themselves to standards that belonged to a past version of themselves. When those standards no longer fit, self-criticism creeps in.
One red flag Cherylanne sees often is excessive self-judgment — not because someone is failing, but because they’re measuring themselves against an old definition of success. When we cling to who we used to be, we miss who we’re becoming.
A powerful reframe from this episode:
When you say “I need to get back to who I was,” ask instead, “Who am I becoming?”
Productivity vs. Alignment: Why Busy Doesn’t Feel Fulfilling
What an Aligned Week Actually Feels Like
We talked about why so many women end the week exhausted but unsatisfied. You can do a lot — and still feel unproductive — if your actions weren’t aligned with what mattered most.
Alignment happens when intention and integrity match:
- You’re clear on what deserves your time
- You follow through on those priorities
- You’re at peace with what didn’t make the cut
That’s when productivity turns into fulfillment.
Energy Is the Foundation of Sustainable High Performance
Why Sleep Isn’t Optional
If there’s one permission Cherylanne would give ambitious, exhausted women this week, it’s this: go to bed.
Energy management underpins everything — clarity, confidence, decision-making, and resilience. When you’re depleted, you can’t accurately assess what you want or what needs to change. Exhaustion keeps you stuck in problem-talk instead of solution-thinking.
Sometimes the most strategic move is rest.
Perfectionism as a Hiding Place
When Playing Small Feels Safer Than Starting
We also explored how perfectionism can quietly stall growth. One type we discussed — procrastination perfectionism — shows up when women protect themselves from imperfect execution by never fully starting.
Big ideas stay beautiful in your head… but unrealized.
This often overlaps with “shoulds”:
- I should enjoy this more
- I should want this
- I should be satisfied
Letting go of those narratives creates space for honest ambition — ambition that fits your life instead of fighting it.
GrowthDay: A Daily Tool I Personally Use
One practice that helps me stay grounded and aligned is GrowthDay. I listen to The Daily Fire most mornings — a short, focused audio that helps me reset my mindset and take intentional action.
It’s practical, energizing, and built for high performers who want momentum without burnout. You can try it free for seven days using the link here.
Final Thoughts: Success That Fits Your Life
If you’re ambitious and tired, nothing is wrong with you.
You may simply be living by expectations that no longer match your season.
This episode is an invitation to:
- Name the season you’re in
- Adjust your pace without guilt
- Redefine success to include energy, fulfillment, and relationships
High performance isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what matters now.
If this conversation resonated, share it with a woman who’s navigating her own season shift. We’ll talk soon.
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