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Burnout: What Happens When Everyone Counts on You
Burnout: What Happens When Everyone Counts on You
Episode Theme: Recognizing burnout, protecting your energy, and building sustainable high performance.
In this episode of Be Undaunted, Tara Collingwood and George Dom tackle a topic that affects nearly every high performer at some point: burnout.
Burnout is more than simply feeling tired. It’s the gradual erosion of energy, focus, resilience, and purpose that can leave even the most capable people feeling emotionally exhausted and disconnected.
Drawing from experiences in military leadership, executive coaching, and health performance, Tara and George unpack:
If you are the person everyone relies on, this episode is for you.
George’s Pentagon Burnout Story
George shares a vivid story from his final Navy assignment working in the Pentagon during strategic planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His days routinely looked like this:
Despite taking pride in being “the last initials on the sign-out sheet,” George realized that by Thursday and Friday, he was operating on fumes.
Key Insight:
“You’d still get the work done — but they weren’t getting your best work anymore.”
The story highlights an important truth:
Burnout often develops while people are still functioning and performing.
Why High Performers Are at Higher Risk
Tara and George explain why ambitious, responsible, high-achieving people are especially vulnerable to burnout.
Common Drivers Include:
Identity Becomes Tied to Performance
High performers often equate productivity with self-worth.
Fear of Letting Others Down
Many people worry that slowing down will make them appear less committed.
Rewarded for Overperforming
Reliable people often receive more responsibility because leaders trust them.
Addiction to Adrenaline
High achievers can become dependent on the stimulation of pressure, urgency, and constant motion.
Delayed Recovery
People often tell themselves:
But recovery keeps getting postponed.
Burnout Warning Signs
Burnout rarely appears overnight.
Instead, it builds gradually through chronic stress and insufficient recovery.
Physical Signs
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
Performance Signs
Burnout Isn’t a Lack of Effort
One of the biggest takeaways from the episode:
Burnout is not caused by laziness.
It’s caused by prolonged output without adequate recovery.
George’s Key Insight:
“Burnout isn’t a lack of effort — it’s a lack of recovery.”
Initially, stress can sharpen focus and improve performance.
But chronic stress eventually drains physical, emotional, and cognitive capacity.
What Doesn’t Work
Tara and George discuss several common but ineffective strategies people use when approaching burnout.
These Usually Make Things Worse:
Important Reminder:
Burnout is not solved by “trying harder.”
What Actually Helps Recovery
1. Tactical Recovery Throughout the Day
Research shows that short recovery breaks every 60–90 minutes significantly improve performance and reduce stress.
Examples:
Tara’s Insight:
Recovery is not just vacations.
It’s small resets throughout the day.
2. Strategic Recovery
Tactical recovery helps during the day.
Strategic recovery means intentionally taking extended time to rest and recharge.
This includes:
George emphasizes that people often do their best work before vacations because their brain knows recovery is coming.
3. Setting Boundaries
George shares how difficult boundary-setting was during his military career — and how important it became later.
Memorable Quote:
“If you don’t protect your time, somebody else will spend it.”
Healthy boundaries may include:
The Power of Habits & Routines
The hosts discuss how sustainable habits reduce reliance on willpower.
George’s Insight:
“You don’t rise to the occasion — you fall to your habits.”
Helpful habits can include:
High Trust Leadership by George Dom
https://www.georgedom.com/book
More about George Dom:
https://www.georgedom.com/
More about Tara Collingwood:
https://www.dietdiva.net/
Follow the show: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube
Be Undaunted is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: www.jagpodcastproductions.com
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
View all episodes
By George Dom, Tara CollingwoodBurnout: What Happens When Everyone Counts on You
Episode Theme: Recognizing burnout, protecting your energy, and building sustainable high performance.
In this episode of Be Undaunted, Tara Collingwood and George Dom tackle a topic that affects nearly every high performer at some point: burnout.
Burnout is more than simply feeling tired. It’s the gradual erosion of energy, focus, resilience, and purpose that can leave even the most capable people feeling emotionally exhausted and disconnected.
Drawing from experiences in military leadership, executive coaching, and health performance, Tara and George unpack:
If you are the person everyone relies on, this episode is for you.
George’s Pentagon Burnout Story
George shares a vivid story from his final Navy assignment working in the Pentagon during strategic planning for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His days routinely looked like this:
Despite taking pride in being “the last initials on the sign-out sheet,” George realized that by Thursday and Friday, he was operating on fumes.
Key Insight:
“You’d still get the work done — but they weren’t getting your best work anymore.”
The story highlights an important truth:
Burnout often develops while people are still functioning and performing.
Why High Performers Are at Higher Risk
Tara and George explain why ambitious, responsible, high-achieving people are especially vulnerable to burnout.
Common Drivers Include:
Identity Becomes Tied to Performance
High performers often equate productivity with self-worth.
Fear of Letting Others Down
Many people worry that slowing down will make them appear less committed.
Rewarded for Overperforming
Reliable people often receive more responsibility because leaders trust them.
Addiction to Adrenaline
High achievers can become dependent on the stimulation of pressure, urgency, and constant motion.
Delayed Recovery
People often tell themselves:
But recovery keeps getting postponed.
Burnout Warning Signs
Burnout rarely appears overnight.
Instead, it builds gradually through chronic stress and insufficient recovery.
Physical Signs
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
Performance Signs
Burnout Isn’t a Lack of Effort
One of the biggest takeaways from the episode:
Burnout is not caused by laziness.
It’s caused by prolonged output without adequate recovery.
George’s Key Insight:
“Burnout isn’t a lack of effort — it’s a lack of recovery.”
Initially, stress can sharpen focus and improve performance.
But chronic stress eventually drains physical, emotional, and cognitive capacity.
What Doesn’t Work
Tara and George discuss several common but ineffective strategies people use when approaching burnout.
These Usually Make Things Worse:
Important Reminder:
Burnout is not solved by “trying harder.”
What Actually Helps Recovery
1. Tactical Recovery Throughout the Day
Research shows that short recovery breaks every 60–90 minutes significantly improve performance and reduce stress.
Examples:
Tara’s Insight:
Recovery is not just vacations.
It’s small resets throughout the day.
2. Strategic Recovery
Tactical recovery helps during the day.
Strategic recovery means intentionally taking extended time to rest and recharge.
This includes:
George emphasizes that people often do their best work before vacations because their brain knows recovery is coming.
3. Setting Boundaries
George shares how difficult boundary-setting was during his military career — and how important it became later.
Memorable Quote:
“If you don’t protect your time, somebody else will spend it.”
Healthy boundaries may include:
The Power of Habits & Routines
The hosts discuss how sustainable habits reduce reliance on willpower.
George’s Insight:
“You don’t rise to the occasion — you fall to your habits.”
Helpful habits can include:
High Trust Leadership by George Dom
https://www.georgedom.com/book
More about George Dom:
https://www.georgedom.com/
More about Tara Collingwood:
https://www.dietdiva.net/
Follow the show: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube
Be Undaunted is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: www.jagpodcastproductions.com
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.