Jennifer Hyman, CEO of $28M Rent the Runway, was told by a mentor, “There are only two reasons people stop—either they stop believing in their vision, or they’re too tired to continue.” In other words, burn out isn’t just about working too hard. It’s about losing the connection to why you’re doing the work in the first place.

A clear vision and mission act as your GPS. They help you navigate challenges, make aligned decisions, and sustain your energy for the long haul. Without them, it’s easy to drift, to question, to burn out.

But when you deeply believe in what you’re building, you’re able to adjust how you work. When you stay connected to your purpose, you show up differently. You bring more energy, make choices that support both your well-being and your impact, and open doors you might not have seen otherwise.

The caveat, of course, is that a strong sense of purpose can help sustain you through challenges—but only if you take care of yourself along the way.

The hidden cost of staying too long

The feeling of exhaustion, frustration, or disengagement isn’t always about needing a vacation. Sometimes, it’s a sign that you’ve outgrown the work you once loved. You’ve evolved, but your role, industry, or leadership approach hasn’t kept pace with who you’ve become.

Women at this stage often find themselves asking:

• Do I still believe in what I do?
• Does my work align with what matters to me? Or have I outgrown it?
• Am I just pushing through out of habit, obligation, or fear of what’s next?

When the answers aren’t clear, it’s easy to stay stuck in a cycle of exhaustion—mistaking growth for burnout, when in reality, your soul is nudging you toward something more aligned.

The power of refining what success means

True leadership isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about recalibrating—making intentional choices that honour both your ambitions and your well-being.

For many, this means redefining success. It’s no longer about checking off the next career milestone but about:

• Leading in a way that feels deeply aligned with your values
• Creating impact without self-sacrifice
• Having the confidence to step into a new season of leadership with clarity and conviction

What’s next for you?

If exhaustion has become your norm, it might not be about the workload – it might be the work itself. And if that’s the case, then the most powerful thing you can do is pause, reassess, and give yourself permission to realign.

Because the most successful leaders aren’t the ones who push through no matter what. They’re the ones who have the wisdom to know when it’s time for something new.

Are you feeling burned out—or is it time for a bigger shift?

If you’re ready to explore a purposeful way forward – without the exhaustion – join us in the Wisdom Collective monthly membership. Go here for details.