Hi Neuros,
A few years ago, I was at a leadership conference where a ton of the typical leadership platitudes were delivered, but when John Maxwell stood to remind everyone that growth was only realized through the struggle, I was triggered.
I slung a few texts like “I’m so sick of the message that the grind is the only way to grow” that were not well received. As the self-proclaimed president of the club of martyrs and perfectionists, I was not immune to this thinking for SURE, but I was freaking tired.
I slunk back, thinking maybe I was out of my mind.
Fast forward a few years, and I STILL think about that moment and that woman who felt alone, wondering if the glory and growth are in the struggle.
There are clearly some truths that difficult situations and moments can be breeding grounds for growth and learning. We know this, and we feel this. But how much is too much?
I’ve talked in past issues about our addiction to dopamine which productivity can undoubtedly produce. But what about the role of stress? How culturally, stress has somehow become a marker of success alongside productivity.
- Pushing through is celebrated.
- Bad experiences “happens for a reason.”
- Grinding it out is a mark of dedication and loyalty.
- Your lack of sleep equates to just how needed you are.
On one side, as high performers, we relish difficulty. In the moment, it feels exhilarating.
But we all know what sits on the other side of this – the burnout and resentment that can shrivel our souls and, after studying the effects of long-term stress, can kill us. Cool.
This week, I’m exploring stress and, specifically, long-term stress.
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