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
- Success by default
- Emotional depletion
- The goal treadmill & hedonic treadmill
- 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: sarah@careertreecoaching.co.uk
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
