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I know I can succeed when, if, until...

Have you ever experienced a period of elevated productivity, flow, ease, and success? You're rolling along and everything is going great...until all of a sudden, it isn't. Suddenly, everything feels harder, like the rules just changed.


The reality of powering through.

We've all hit walls like this. In 2002, I managed a brand new, high-profile, high-risk initiative at a time when failure wasn't an option. I powered through—working late, skipping breaks, doing whatever it took. Most of us have been shaped by this kind of hustle culture.


And oh, the rewards! Accolades and opportunities galore. Skill development on steroids. Tolerance for pressure. Creativity.


I also learned something vital: powering through creates growth that can never come with only ease, but it comes with a cost.


Why burnout happens.

Leaders who consistently power through difficult obstacles are also prone to experience deep burnout and exhaustion. The little cues that struggle is taking its toll are ignored or avoided for months, even years or decades.


You need rhythms of work and play, struggle and rest, producing results and planting seeds. Even your need for sleep is a daily reminder of this.


The conditions for success.

No one can succeed always, without fail, under any circumstance, every time, no matter what. Not even machines can do that.


You can either pretend this isn't so and hope burnout doesn't undermine your work, leadership, and life.


Or, you can acknowledge there are real and important variables that influence when you can succeed and when you can't.


Here's what I've learned about myself:

  • I know I can succeed when I work with people who are great at purposeful, sustained, detailed action. Otherwise, I miss details and get off track often.

  • I know I can succeed until I am so busy there's no time to think. Then, I lose both momentum and motivation.

  • I know I can succeed without unnecessary pressure, urgency, and deadlines that stifle creativity. Otherwise, I feel frustrated when deadlines are prioritized over excellent work that makes an impact.


What about you?

Take a moment to reflect on your own conditions for success. Ask yourself:

  • I know I can succeed when...

  • I know I can succeed if...

  • I know I can succeed unless...

  • I know I can succeed because...

  • I know I can succeed with...

  • I know that I can succeed without...


What brings out your best ideas? When do you feel like you can contribute your best? Who helps you see blind spots and unlock potential?


The power of awareness.

If you find yourself powering through, chances are you are trying to be and do everything your work requires all by yourself.


Going it alone is a recipe for frustration, diminished impact, fatigue, lost focus, burnout, and discouragement. This is because you are ignoring the conditions you need to thrive in a sustained way.


What helps you thrive?

When you figure out what helps you thrive, you'll be far less susceptible to burnout.

You can intentionally take on seasons of struggle in order to grow—and come out the other side with sustained, consistent energy and excitement for whatever is next.


Those conditions could be anything from:

  • Uninterrupted time at the start of each week to think and be strategic

  • Midday exercise to recharge

  • Intentionally working with a team member who balances your skills and fills your gaps

  • Rhythms of sprint and recovery


And it often only takes one thing to make a difference.

  • Take five minutes today to identify the one condition you need most. Then make it happen.

  • If you missed the first two emails in this month's theme, Creating the Conditions You Need to Thrive, you can read them here.

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