The Downside of Being a High Achiever — And How You Can Have Both Productivity and Well-being

The other day I had a coaching session with my friend Oy, and it made me reflect on something I’ve seen countless times in my work and in myself: the downside of being a high achiever.

As someone who’s passionate about productivity and works in a role where I meet a lot of driven people, I’ve noticed a recurring theme — high achievers tend to overwork. You might think: "Okay, but what’s the problem? Isn’t that better than wasting time or partying?"

The answer isn’t black or white.

I’m not saying you should ditch your responsibilities and head out for drinks. What I am saying is that high achievers often use work as a way to feel worthy. We get validation through output. Even when deep down, we know that what we really needed that Friday afternoon was to unwind with friends, take a walk, or just be — but instead, we stayed late and sent that extra email.

Here’s the catch: that email may not have made the difference you think it did. But your well-being would have.

The best performers I’ve seen are not the ones who hustle endlessly — they’re the ones who know when to zoom in and when to zoom out. They understand the dance between doing and being. Between pushing forward and pulling back. Between micro-effort and macro-vision.

Rest periods feel lazy if you're wired for performance. But in reality, they’re strategic. They allow your nervous system to regulate, your brain to breathe, and your creativity to rise.

If you’re always pushing harder, eventually you’ll plateau. You’ll burn out, lose inspiration, or dilute your impact. Going that extra 10% all the time has a cost — and it’s often the very things that sustain you: time with people you love, the workout that gives you energy, the meditation that sharpens your focus, the hobbies that light you up.

We’ve been taught that hustle = success. And yes, hard work matters. But what if there was another strategy — a simpler one? A strategy built not on stress, but on alignment with your values. One that incorporates the things you love into your day on purpose, because they’re part of your success formula, not a reward after it.

Let’s go back to my friend.

He was frustrated. He was doing everything right, but the results weren’t showing up. And here’s the truth that many high-achievers struggle with: effort does not always equal results. The equation isn't linear. Smart people know that great ideas drive success — not just raw effort.

But when do the best ideas come? Usually not when you’re forcing them. They come when you’re relaxed. Walking. Resting. Playing. Being.

Now here’s the paradox: even if you have a brilliant idea, you need time and space to act on it. If you’re booked 100% of the time, when are you going to build on those ideas?

This is the high-achiever’s trap. Instead of stepping back, we push forward. We control harder. We become stricter with ourselves. But the way out isn’t more force — it’s release.

And I get it — letting go feels unsafe when you’ve built your identity on achieving. Your inner voice might scream: "You’re falling behind!" But sometimes growth looks like walking in the opposite direction. It’s counterintuitive, but necessary.

Just like in the gym, recovery is essential for progress. You wouldn’t train 6 hours a day, 7 days a week — you’d break down. And yet, when it comes to our work lives, we somehow ignore this logic.

So close the laptop. Take the walk. Sit in the sun. Give your brain and body the gift of recovery.

You’ll be amazed at how many doors open — simply because you stopped banging on the wrong ones.

Science-Backed Relaxation Techniques for High Achievers:

Here are a few proven methods to recover and recharge:

• Walking in nature – lowers cortisol and boosts creative thinking.
• Box breathing (4-4-4-4 technique) – reduces anxiety and resets your nervous system.
• Power naps (10–20 minutes) – improve memory, alertness, and mood.
• Mindful journaling – clarifies thoughts and regulates emotions.
• Unstructured play or creativity (drawing, dancing, etc.) – stimulates joy and flow.
• Intentional social time – deepens connection and emotional resilience.
• Tech-free time – helps restore attention span and presence.

Let this be your permission slip. You don’t have to earn rest. You are allowed to feel good now — not later. Your success depends on it.