Redefining Success: How LESS Can Be MORE for those with High-Performer Syndrome

Ever feel like your daily grind is a never-ending marathon, with every mile marker demanding more from you?

If that hits home, this 2% Solution Podcast episode is your pit stop. In today's episode, we're diving into the concept of How LESS Can Be MORE for those with High-Performer Syndrome.

As your host and resident cheerleader, I'm here to arm you with the strategies you need to combat High-Performer Syndrome—without the need for that extra shot of espresso.

We're peeling back the layers of this relentless pursuit of excellence, revealing the truth about our shared struggle with juggling too much and the guilt of downtime.

Strap in for a session that's part therapy, part strategy seminar. We'll explore the power of a beautifully simple two-letter word—"no"—and why it’s time to frame it in a positive light.

We'll uncover the underappreciated elegance of imperfection, taking cues from Persian rugs and the Japanese art of Kintsugi to celebrate the gold in our cracks. 

And if you've been skimping on that precious 'me time,' consider this your intervention. 

Prepare to chuckle over your cup of joe and kick-start your day with a healthier mindset. 

Remember, these aren't just life hacks; they're your ticket to a sustainable, high-achieving life that sparkles with a bit more gold and much less burnout.

Transcript

Dai Manuel: 0:06

Welcome, welcome, welcome. You're tuned in to another Electro-Find Episode of 2% Solution Podcast, where we dive deep into making your good life great and turning the impossible into I'm possible. I'm your host, diamond Well, your cheerleader and no-forcoming life's obstacles with a smile. Today we've got a special treat for all you Go Getters, you achievers and everyone who's been told you're doing too much. But also, can you do this? Yeah, I'm looking at you, my high-flying friends. Today's episode is all strategies to overcome high-performer syndrome. It's going to be informative, uplifting and, who knows, we might just crack a joke or two that'll have you snort in your morning coffee out of your nose Hopefully not while you're driving. So let's get started. First off, let's chat about what high-performer syndrome actually is. Picture this You're the person who juggles five projects, volunteers, has a side hustle and yet still manages to hit the gym at 5 am. Does that sound familiar? That's high-performer syndrome. It's not efficiently in the medical books, but it's real in the world of us overachievers. It's the chronic need to perform at an exceptionally high level in every aspect of our lives, often leading to stress, burnout, anxiety and often an empty bottle of your favorite stress relief shampoo. Yeah, I said shampoo, because why not wash that stress right out of your hair, dad joke. Keep it, leave it, whatever Moving on, but here's a stat that'll bake your noodle. Did you know that, according to a study we just made up for this episode, 87% of high-performers believe that if they're not doing something productive, they're wasting time? Okay, we didn't really make it up, but there isn't an exact study on this. It highlights the pressure cooker situation many of us find ourselves in, and if that pressure cooker had a release valve? I'm hoping that today's episode is that. So how do we tackle this beast? Well, it's all about balance, boundaries and the art of saying a word that many high performers are absolutely terrifying. Do you know what word that is? No? Learn the art of saying no. Great strategy number one, because saying no isn't about being negative. It's about prioritizing your energy. Think of it as being the CEO of your life, and the CEOs say yes to every single meeting that came along. Heck, no, they prioritize, and so should you too. And one other thing no Period is a complete sentence. No need to explain yourself, and, for all my Canadian friends and family, you don't even have to follow up a no with I'm sorry, but all right, you guys know who I'm talking about there and I am so guilty of this one, even funny. No is a complete sentence and it's okay to set that boundary Strategy.

Dai Manuel: 3:20

Two embracing imperfection. Now here's a fun fact. Did you know that Persian rugs had intentional flaws woven right into them? It's a reminder that only perfection exists in imperfection. So embrace those little flaws in your work. Misspelled a word in an email? Congrats, you're human. But there is a tool called Grammarly that could help you and, by the way, I'm not affiliated at all, but it saved me a lot of misspellings over and over again and I before I would say, pffving as the s Bull.

Dai Manuel: 3:54

There's also a really cool Japanese philosophy and it's actually more of an art style, and it's called ketsugi. This is where they take a Like a porcelain dish or a bowl or a mug and they smash it and then they put it back together with this sort of gold leaf. Look to it so you can imagine that you see this beautiful, say, saucer that's been smashed, but put back together like a puzzle being put back together, and all you can see is these cracks are actually all these gold lines. Just Google it, ketsugi. You'll be amazed at this, but it's basically Reaffirming that there's beauty in the imperfection, so embrace imperfection. Okay, it's a good thing, it's not a bad thing to be running away from now.

Dai Manuel: 4:40

Strategy three Schedule me time. Yeah, you heard right. Schedule time for yourself like it's the most important meeting of the week, whether it's reading, meditating, even staring at a wall, contemplating the meaning of pizza. Make the time sacred, because if you don't prioritize time for you, no one else is gonna do it now.

Dai Manuel: 5:04

Strategy number four Learn to delegate like a pro. Delegation is not a sign of weakness. That was something I had to learn. It's a sign of a wise leader. Find tasks you can hand off and trust others to handle on. This not only lightens your load, but also empowers those around you, creates a wonderful win-win culture and you know what people get better and they also appreciate the opportunity to have the added responsibility. Think about your own journey. Can you remember when that you found yourself in that exact same situation? I'm sure you had, and how did you feel when you were empowered at task, for maybe your boss, your CEO, your partner in life Makes a big deal. But also, on the flip side, learn to be able to delegate, ask for help indirectly through those around you. Now strategy number five Stay curiously informed.

Dai Manuel: 6:02

Keep learning, but not just about how to be more efficient or productive. Dive into a hobby, read a novel or learn this also Keeping your own brain engaged in fun, diverse activities can actually make you more creative and productive in the long run. Remember, folks, overcoming high performer syndrome isn't about doing less. It's about doing what matters most efficiently and joyfully. It's about finding that sweet spot where your passions, talents and the needs of the world intersect. So take a deep breath, give yourself a pat on the back for being amazing and let's start putting these strategies in play. That's all the time I've got for today on the 2% solution podcast. I hope today's episode gives you the nudge to take a step back, reassess and move forward with joy and balance, or, as we like to say, harmony. Don't forget to hit the subscribe, leave us a review and remember you're just one strategy away from turning your high-performance syndrome into your superpower. Until next time, keep laughing, keep loving and keep living your best life Time and well, sign it off.