In today's episode, we're tackling a hard truth that might shake up everything you believe about leadership: being constantly available isn't making you a better leader—it's actively sabotaging your success. Research shows that the "always-on" approach is draining your productivity by up to 40%. Today, we're exploring why this happens and how to fix it.

I take you through the fascinating psychology behind our compulsion to say 'yes', drawing from Steve Chandler's brilliant framework of the 'social self' versus the 'professional self'. We unpack how our early conditioning—especially for women—creates a 'good girl' syndrome that can secretly sabotage our leadership effectiveness. I’ll also share practical strategies for breaking free from these patterns and crafting an authentic leadership style that honours both your goals and your energy.

The real game-changer? Learning that authentic leadership isn't about constant availability—it's about intentional boundaries. I’ll show you exactly how to shift from reflexive people-pleasing to strategic leadership, even if setting boundaries feels uncomfortable at first. This discomfort isn't just normal; it's actually a signal that you're growing into a more powerful leader.

Key Episode Takeaways:

• The 40% Productivity Drain: How constant availability sabotages your success

• The Social vs Professional Self: Understanding your leadership identity

• Strategic Boundary Setting: Practical tools for saying 'no' effectively

• Energy Management: Why it's your secret leadership weapon

LINKS

Double Your Energy Masterclass:

https://peak-revival.captivate.fm/yt-masterclass

Website: www.vesnahrsto.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Buh-Bye Burnout

What if I told you that some of history's greatest minds—Tesla, da Vinci, Hemingway—had a surprising secret weapon? They mastered the art of doing nothing. And before you dismiss this as ancient history, today's most successful leaders and innovators are embracing this same powerful strategy. Let's explore why strategic silence might be your untapped advantage.

In this episode, I’ll take you through the 'Alpha 10' technique—a straightforward practice of dedicating ten minutes to complete stillness. This isn't another productivity hack or meditation practice to add to your growing to-do list. It's about creating intentional space for your mind to process, innovate and rejuvenate.

Here's the fascinating paradox: when we deliberately create space in our packed schedules, we actually accelerate our path to success. For high performers juggling multiple responsibilities, these moments of solitude aren't just nice-to-haves—they're essential tools for maintaining peak performance and expanding emotional bandwidth.

So, let’s explore some of the benefits consistent time spent in solitude can bring to all aspects of our increasingly busy lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Master the Alpha 10: Ten minutes of intentional silence daily

• Create phone-free zones to enhance creative thinking

• Use strategic pauses to expand your emotional bandwidth

• Productivity paradoxically increases with intentional rest

LINKS

Double Your Energy Masterclass:

https://peak-revival.captivate.fm/yt-masterclass

Website: www.vesnahrsto.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Buh-Bye Burnout

While the desire to excel is a powerful motivator for high-performing women, it can cast a shadow that impacts your energy, wellness and sustainable success.

Last week, I talked about the five drivers for high performing women and today, we're diving into the "shadow" side of those drivers. By knowing how to tend to the darker sides of what propels us forward, we can make better decisions and foster routines that protect our well-being.

We’ll unpack the complex dynamics of each driver and its shadow side:

• The Visionary: Always chasing what's next while missing the present moment

• The Mission-Driven: Falling into martyrdom and over-responsibility

• The High Standards Bearer: Wrestling with perfectionism and control

• The Achievement-Oriented: Tying self-worth to success metrics

• The Redefiner: Balancing ambition with the desire for ease

Key Takeaway:

By identifying your primary driver and understanding its shadow side, you can make mindful choices that energise, uplift and sustain your success. Join me as I share practical strategies for incorporating recovery, celebration and boundary-setting into your high-performance journey.

Previous episodes mentioned:

- Is Being the Rescuer Burning You Out?

- The 5 drivers that keep High-performing women pushing, even when exhausted

LINKS

Double Your Energy Masterclass:

https://peak-revival.captivate.fm/yt-masterclass

Website: www.vesnahrsto.com

Mentioned in this episode:

Buh-Bye Burnout