Most of us are familiar with the term 'glass ceiling' - the unseen barrier hindering women from top corporate roles. Yet, there's a lesser-known but equally critical concept: the 'glass cliff'. This metaphor extends the challenge beyond just reaching leadership positions. It's about the precariousness that often accompanies these roles, especially for Black women and women of color. This results in a role fraught with unsustainable workloads, lack of support, and unrecognized efforts, leading to burnout and frustration. You can change that!

At times of corporate turmoil, it's not uncommon for companies to appoint women, to steer the ship. This is the glass cliff in action - a phenomenon where women ascend to power during a crisis or downturn, placing them in inherently unstable positions with a higher failure risk. If you grappling with this or similar, here are a couple of options to avoid burnout.

Many high-achieving women miss their mark because they are so focused on their Do that they do not mind their Who. They think by doing and accumulating more achievements that they’re operating in their full brilliance but they’re not because they can’t fully tap into it because they haven’t learned to savor, to pause, to integrate what they’re getting done. There is a better, more spirit-led way

High achieving women are naturally hardwired to work hard. They willingly devote hours and energy to their role and take satisfaction in being productive. Just the act of completing tasks fulfills them. But as much as they do, these leaders are woefully inadequate in acknowledging their wins. Here’s why that matters.

The pandemic helped us see and understand at a deeper level that without a sense of purpose, meaning and value, our work cannot fulfill us and make the impact we long for. I believe it’s time for all of us to take the reins of our careers and lives as we navigate uncertainty and pivots that are the new normal right now. If not now, when?

In these uncertain, chaotic, and constantly shifting times, if you find yourself feeling unmotivated, blah, unable to focus, frequently tired, or more uptight than usual, it’s wise to check in with yourself to see if you’re edging into burnout. Here are key warning signs and ways to address them.