Why top performers consistently burn out and what to do about it
By Jess Lane, Founder of The Full Cup Co. [Career Design for the Future of Work] | 20+ Years Fortune 500 and High-Growth Tech | MA Psychology, Pepperdine University
If you’re a top performer at work and you’ve felt the signs of burnout (persistent exhaustion, declining engagement, cynicism, emotional drain, or even physical symptoms like headaches and poor sleep), you’re not alone.
A 2024 Mercer study shows 82% of U.S. workers are at risk of burnout. That’s nearly everyone.
Burnout is rising for many reasons: increased workload demands, lack of control, and a constant drumbeat of economic uncertainty.
So why is burnout so widespread and more importantly, what can we actually do about it?
Burnout is a Systemic Problem
Research shows that 90% of an employee’s well-being is shaped by the workplace (culture, leadership, systems) and only 10% by the employee themselves.
Poor management, toxic culture, unclear goals, and misaligned leadership all directly impact well-being and often in ways that are completely outside of your control.
Toxic workplaces increase the risk of depression by 300%, especially when long hours, low support, and high demands collide. A study of 2,000+ workers found those in toxic environments were far more likely to develop depression symptoms, with the risk spiking when workweeks exceed 55 hours.
Confusing Burnout for Dedication
High performers often mistake burnout for loyalty.
When you’re invested in your company’s success, it’s easy to rationalize overwork…telling yourself you’re “just being dedicated.” But that dedication can become overcompensating, overworking, or even over-apologizing.
From a psychological perspective, we rationalize unhealthy patterns when the stakes feel high. The same way people sometimes ignore red flags in relationships because they’re “blinded by love.” Work isn’t just livelihood, it’s tied to ego and identity. That makes it easy to justify the extraordinary, even when it’s unsustainable.
Yes, working hard matters. But sacrificing your health is not loyalty.
The Hamster Wheel of “Success”
Many high achievers live in a cycle: hustle → promotion → burnout → repeat.
At first, the promotions, raises, and recognition feel worth it. But over time, the cycle starts to feel empty. A small voice begins to ask: “Is this it?”
Maybe the new role isn’t what you hoped. Maybe the culture feels off. Maybe the work doesn’t light you up anymore.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re just stuck on the hamster wheel.
Why Top Executives Feel Stuck
Success can be lonely. As one executive put it:
“When things go well, everyone’s a happy family. But when performance dips, that’s when you start feeling very lonely.”
Add in today’s wave of layoffs, restructures, and uncertainty, and it’s no wonder so many top performers feel trapped.
But here’s the truth: you’re not stuck and you’re not alone.
What To Do About It
1. Reconnect to your purpose.
Get clear on your values, skills, and the impact you want to make. Not just at work, but in life. When you align your next chapter with your why, everything changes.
2. Invest in your growth.
That might look like coaching, a structured program, or learning something new. Research shows that learning novel, challenging tasks builds new neural pathways — helping your brain adapt, solve problems, and unlock creativity.
3. Find community.
Burnout thrives in isolation. Surround yourself with support systems that help you recover and design what’s next. At The Full Cup Co., our members lean on both a private community board and twice-weekly group coaching calls to make change feel possible (and less lonely).
Curious about what’s next for you?
Check out our free masterclass: How to Create Your Own Strategic Executive Exit Plan™.
And remember: no one has your special sauce!
Jess Lane is the founder of The Full Cup Co., the career design company for the future of work, creator of the Full Cup Method and Strategic Executive Exit. She has 20+ years of marketing and business leadership across Fortune 500 and high-growth IPO and unicorn technology companies including Porsche, Visa, Michelob ULTRA, and TheRealReal, and a Masters in Psychology from Pepperdine University. She helps experienced professionals design their next chapter and the career meant for them.