High Achievers and Risk of Burnout

Alison Butler
Feb 8
3 min read

Updated: Oct 31

Did you know: High performers and high achievers are more prone to burnout at work because of the unique pressures that come with their drive and success.

I know this well because I experienced burnout out as a high achiever, didn't recognize it at the time, and now I'm passionate about helping others understand burnout so they can focus on prevention.

High Achievers and Risk of Burnout Here’s a breakdown of why the risk is higher:

Setting the Bar High

As high achievers we might also be perfectionists. We set extremely high standards for ourselves and push to meet them every time. This can lead to chronic stress.

Taking On More

Because we're reliable and capable, high performers are often given extra responsibilities at work. We can have a hard time saying no, either because we might let someone down, miss out on a great opportunity, or because we are genuinely interested in a lot of different things that we'd like to be involved in.

Self-Critical

We can be our own worst critics by dwelling on mistakes or worrying about whether we're meeting expectations, which adds to our mental and emotional strain.

Working Longer and Harder

Research shows that as high achievers, we tend to put in more hours and effort than our peers, often sacrificing rest and recovery time. This "always-on" mentality leaves little room to recharge.

Struggle to Disconnect

As high performers we often tie self-worth to our accomplishments. Because of this, it can be hard to step away from work, even during personal time. This is why we focus a lot on creating better boundaries with our technology in my Burnout To Boundaries™ training.

Feel the Weight of Expectations

Once people see us as competent or successful, high achievers often feel pressure to maintain that image. We might worry that if we slow down, pause or show vulnerability, we'll lose respect or opportunities. This fear of "letting people down" can be a major cause of additional stress.

Less Likely to Ask for Help

We often pride ourselves on being independent and capable, so we are less likely to reach out for support when we're struggling. This can lead to feelings of isolation and overwhelm.

Ignore the Warning Signs

Burnout usually comes with warning signs like fatigue, irritability, or declining motivation. As high performers we often power through these symptoms, thinking we can handle it, until the problem becomes unmanageable.

In short, high achievers burn out because their strengths—like their drive, ambition, and resilience—can also turn into vulnerabilities when pushed too far.

How do I know if I'm a high achiever?

Someone recently asked me this in a training session and it got me thinking about the personality traits of high achievers.

You may not have all of these traits, but studies show that high achievers often resonate with some, or all, of the following 10 personality traits:

Grit and Perseverance
Self driven desire to learn, improve and excel
Growth mindset
Self discipline
Resilience
Set clear ambitious goals and maintain focus on achieving them
Strong Emotional Intelligence
A curious approach to life - a strong desire to learn and explore new ideas.
Adaptable
Confidence in ability to complete goals and work.

References

Stoeber & Otto, 2006, Maslach & Leiter, 2016, Flett & Hewitt, 2002, Schaufeli et al., 2009, Hallsten et al., 2005, Luthans et al., 2007, Bakker & Demerouti, 2007, Maslach et al., 2001.

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