Remove the cellophane that stops you so that you can do your Great Work and Flow!
If you make it to the end of this video you will notice it gets cut off. I did not re-shoot it because OMG it was “long enough” you know? I hope you get the picture.
And…
Hey, I know you skim.
Skim this: Come tomorrow to Overachiever’s Club – we will unpeel that cellophane where you Just.Can’t.Seem.To.Get.Going! WTH right?
And now to your article!
The Hidden Cost of Always Doing—And How to Reclaim Your Energy
When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to pause?
In a world that glorifies productivity, it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant action—checking tasks off a list, moving from one thing to the next, and feeling accomplished simply because we’re doing. But what happens when we don’t stop to reflect, recharge, or even ask ourselves if all this movement is leading us in the right direction?
Let me share a story about a client I worked with years ago. She was a successful salesperson who knew exactly what she needed to do—yet, she wasn’t doing it. She sat at her desk, staring at her call list, unable to pick up the phone. When we dug deeper, we uncovered something important: she was caught in a cycle of guilt, perfectionism, and an unconscious fear of failure. She was so focused on how she appeared to others that taking action felt like a risk.
Fast forward to today, and I see the same challenge in many high-achieving professionals. The struggle isn’t about time management or motivation. It’s about how we relate to work, success, and our own nervous systems.
The Danger of Constant Doing
For many of us, being “busy” has been a lifelong habit. Society rewards action, but few people talk about the hidden dangers of constant movement:
- Lack of Clarity – Without time to reflect, we lose sight of what truly matters.
- Burnout and Exhaustion – The body needs rest to recover, but we ignore those signals until we’re forced to stop.
- Diminished Creativity – Creativity thrives in space, not in cluttered schedules.
I recently received a note from a client who admitted she wasn’t giving herself enough time to think. This is common—many of us mistake busyness for effectiveness. But without space to process, we make decisions reactively rather than strategically.
The Body’s Reaction to Overwork
When we don’t allow ourselves to rest, our nervous system takes control. It becomes harder to slow down because the body is stuck in high alert mode. That’s when we reach for external solutions to numb the stress—whether that’s alcohol, scrolling endlessly on our phones, or overcommitting to even more tasks.
The reality is, our bodies will force us to slow down eventually. Some people experience burnout. Others develop chronic stress-related health conditions, and I’ve worked with clients who didn’t realize they were on the brink of a serious medical crisis until it was too late.
So, what’s the solution?
Breaking the Cycle: How to Shift from Doing to Being
Instead of pushing forward on autopilot, try these steps to create space for intentional action:
- Pause and Reflect – Start with small breaks throughout the day to check in with yourself. Are you moving with purpose, or just moving?
- Choose Intentional Rest – Make time for restorative activities that aren’t just about escape. Meditation, gentle movement, or quiet thinking time can help reset your nervous system.
- Redefine Success – Instead of measuring productivity by how busy you are, measure it by how effective you are in creating the life and impact you want.
I’ve been there myself—pushing through exhaustion, convinced that taking a break meant falling behind. But when I finally gave myself the space to breathe, my work (and my life) transformed.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to join me for the next Overachievers Club on Monday, March 3…TOMORROW!
And for your May calendar, on May 12 I’ll have a guest expert on sustainable success. She will be leading a discussion on “Rest to Rise”—how intentional rest can actually help you achieve more.
The cycle of constant doing doesn’t have to control you. The choice to slow down and be—even for a moment—is yours.
I can’t wait to talk to you. Be like Lynn! An oldie but a goodie… WATCH HERE.
Whoop!
Carol