For women at work, endurance plus resilience equals career stamina. Having our eyes on the horizon propels us forward into unchartered territory yet to be explored. We tell ourselves that out there lies all that is missing in the present. We need that missing piece so we can achieve our goals. We respond by working harder, longer, and with more discipline. Having our eyes on the horizon means not only are we never satisfied, but we also never rest…which means we don’t tap into the wellspring of energy that comes from having a hugely satisfied sense of accomplishment. Instead, We trade restorative energy for more work toward the goal. But we work so hard without enough sleep, rest, and recovery that we begin to get diminishing returns. This is one recipe for burnout for a women who is an expert in her own right who expects to be self-recharging.

Action Steps for the Week:
1. When you feel discouraged, tired, unmotivated or fatigued, ask yourself if your eyes are on the horizon. Asking yourself this simple question can be like taking a big breath and letting it out.  You’ll just start feeling better.

2. Place your health journal or a notepad on your night stand. Before you go to bed, write down the single most importnat thing you got done today. 

3. Give yourself an 8 hour sleep opportunity tonight. In the morning, record how sleep makes you feel. This goes a long way toward you realizing the true value of sleep — it’s so much better after hard work and sleep makes reproducible high performance possible.