By Guest commentary Friday, September 18th, 2026

By Petra Beumer 

High achievers are often remarkably good at pushing through fatigue, stress and even the signals telling us that we may need a break. We are used to being responsible, meeting our obligations and getting things done. 

For a long time, this way of operating may serve us very well. The challenge comes when we become so accustomed to functioning this way that we stop paying attention to what our bodies and minds are telling us.

As someone who has spent much of her life being a high achiever — and who still considers herself a recovering Type A German woman — I know this pattern well. I had to learn how fiercely to protect my energy if I wanted to keep doing the work I love without burning myself out.

When I first started my business, I said yes to far too much. Speaking engagements, networking events, meetings — if I thought it might help me grow my practice, I was there. 

Looking back, a lot of that overcommitting came from fear, and I have compassion for that version of myself. Being a solo entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart! 

Eventually, I realized that saying yes to every opportunity wasn’t necessarily good for me or my business. Protecting my energy became as important as managing my time. After all, when you are a solo entrepreneur, you are your business.

I often think of Brené Brown’s words: “It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.” I love that. 

Somehow, being extraordinarily busy has become something to be proud of. A full calendar can feel like proof that we are productive, needed and successful. I have come to believe that energy management may be even more important than time management. 

Time management asks: How much can I fit into the hours I have? Energy management asks: What allows me to bring my best self to those hours?

We can become very skilled at overriding exhaustion. Another cup of coffee, one more email, one more meeting — just push through. And yes, we can do that for a while. But there may be a cost. 

When we repeatedly ignore our body’s signals for rest and recovery, we may become less focused, less patient, less creative and less emotionally resilient. We are still getting things done, but perhaps not at our best.

Ambition and hard work are not the problem. I value both. The question is whether we are equally good at recovering.

STRESS IS NOT THE ENEMY

Our nervous system is designed to respond to challenge. When something requires our attention, our body mobilizes. 

Our heart rate may increase, our muscles tighten and we become more alert. This isn’t inherently bad. We need that activation to give a presentation, navigate a difficult conversation or meet a deadline. 

The problem is when we forget how to come back down. 

Many high achievers become so accustomed to functioning under pressure that they barely notice it anymore. Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, irritability or difficulty sleeping can start to feel normal.

REGULATION IS NOT JUST RELAXATION

Nervous system regulation doesn’t mean being calm all the time. Life doesn’t work that way. A healthy nervous system is flexible. We can gear up when something requires our energy and attention and then come back to greater ease when it is over. We need both activation and recovery. The goal isn’t to eliminate stress. It’s to become better at moving in and out of it.

CREATING SPACE

Recovery doesn’t require a meditation retreat — although I certainly wouldn’t object to one. It can be surprisingly simple: taking a few slower breaths before the next meeting, walking without looking at your phone, eating lunch away from your computer or leaving a little space in the day without immediately filling it. 

Mindfulness helps us notice when we are moving into overdrive before our bodies have to shout to get our attention. 

We can stop and ask: What am I noticing right now? What do I need? This is not indulgence; it is self-regulation. 

Rest doesn’t have to be something we earn after everything is finished. Everything is rarely finished anyway. Sometimes the next level of performance isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about knowing when not to.

• Petra Beumer has a Master’s degree in Psychology and is the founder of the Mindful Eating Institute in Santa Barbara. Her work focuses on psychology-informed mindfulness, emotional self-care and sustainable behavior change.