In this episode, Sarah explores a topic many high-achieving women experience but rarely talk about: Success Fatigue. If you’ve reached a point in your career where things look great on paper but inside you feel flat, disconnected, or wonder “Is this it?” - this episode will help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.

You’ll learn what success fatigue really is, how to tell it apart from burnout or boredom, the deeper causes behind it, and three practical steps to regain meaning, motivation, and clarity in your career.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• What success fatigue is and isn’t
• Why high achievers are particularly vulnerable to it
• The four common causes that trigger this feeling
• How to reconnect with meaning and energy in your work
• How to redefine success for the next stage of your career
• Practical tools like job crafting to shift things without drastic change

Show Notes

00:00 — Introduction

01:00 — Today’s Topic: Success Fatigue

Why this topic matters for female leaders.

02:00 — What Is Success Fatigue?

How it feels, why it’s not burnout or boredom, and common signs.

03:00 — Emotional & Mental Fatigue

That “Is this it?” feeling and the sense of flatness after achieving big goals.

04:00 — Signs You Might Be Experiencing It

Disengagement, cynicism, lack of excitement, going through the motions.

05:00 — Four Core Causes

1. Success by default
2. Emotional depletion
3. The goal treadmill & hedonic treadmill
4. Misaligned values

09:00 — Normalising the Experience

Why this isn’t a failure -it’s a sign of growth.

10:00 — Step 1: Pause & Acknowledge

How to understand what’s really going on without gaslighting yourself.

11:00 — Step 2: Reconnect With Meaning

What “meaningful work” actually means and how to identify your personal sources of meaning.

12:00 — Job Crafting Tools

Task, relationship and mindset crafting to reshape your current role.

14:00 — Step 3: Redefine Your Success Criteria

Updating your definition of success so it reflects your life now, not who you were 10–20 years ago.

15:00 — Recalibrating Your Career

Why small shifts not big leaps are often enough.

16:00 — Using Success Fatigue as a Wake-Up Call

How reflection can set you up for the next phase of your career.

16:30 — How Coaching Can Help

An invitation to connect if you want support navigating this transition.

Useful Links

Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration

Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes

Book a Free 121 Clarity Call

Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

Rate & Review the Podcast

If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected]

You’re not stuck - you’re evolving. Success fatigue isn’t a dead end; it’s a sign you’re ready for a new, more aligned chapter.

Mentioned in this episode:

Lead With Impact Group Coaching Programme

https://www.careertreecoaching.co.uk/lead-with-impact