Latest news with #selfdoubt
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
13 Things People Who Secretly Hate Themselves Always Say
Feeling like you're constantly at odds with yourself is more common than you might think. While everyone has moments of self-doubt, some people internalize these feelings so deeply that it starts to shape how they interact with the world. If you've ever caught yourself saying certain phrases or heard others repeat them, it might be a sign of underlying self-esteem issues. Here are 13 things people who secretly hate themselves often say, and why they matter. 1. "Nothing Ever Goes To Plan For Me." You might hear someone say this almost as a reflex whenever things don't go as planned. On the surface, it seems like a simple dismissal, but for those struggling with self-loathing, it's a way to downplay deeper emotional turmoil. People use it to brush off the need for introspection, convincing themselves and others that their struggles are temporary. It's a common defense mechanism that avoids acknowledging how often they actually feel overwhelmed. According to Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, this kind of dismissal can prevent people from addressing the root causes of their unhappiness, thereby prolonging their suffering. When you say it repeatedly, it becomes a mantra that masks chronic stress or unhappiness. These words can prevent you from seeking the support that you might need. It can also serve as a barrier to open communication with those around you, keeping your struggles hidden. Over time, the habit of brushing things off can make the problems feel insurmountable, even if they're not. You might start to believe that you're not allowed to feel bad, which can deepen feelings of self-hatred. 2. "I'm Fine, Really." This phrase often comes out when you're anything but fine. It's a classic way to deflect attention away from your true feelings and maintain a facade of control. People who dislike themselves tend to worry about burdening others with their problems, so they settle for this phrase as a quick fix. The idea is to avoid vulnerability by pretending everything is under control. While it might feel like a shield, it can actually leave you feeling more isolated in the end. The act of saying "I'm fine" can act as a barrier that prevents genuine connections. It holds you back from opening up about what's genuinely bothering you, which can lead to a buildup of stress and anxiety. The more often you deny how you feel, the more you convince yourself that your emotions aren't valid. Over time, this can erode your self-esteem, making it even harder to reach out for help when you really need it. Recognizing this pattern can be the first step in breaking free from negative self-talk. 3. "I Don't Deserve This." The sentiment behind this phrase is rooted in a belief that you're not worthy of good things happening to you. People who secretly hate themselves often undermine their own successes by attributing them to luck or external factors. Saying "I don't deserve this" is a way to reject positive reinforcement, which only reinforces negative self-beliefs. This habit can prevent you from enjoying accomplishments and feeling proud of yourself. According to psychologist Nathaniel Branden, author of "The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem," acknowledging one's own success is vital for building healthy self-esteem. When you constantly tell yourself that you don't deserve good things, you start to believe it, and this belief can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It sets the stage for self-sabotage, where you might unconsciously undermine your own efforts to achieve happiness or success. Over time, this mindset narrows your opportunities and experiences, reinforcing the idea that you're unworthy. The cycle becomes difficult to break unless you actively challenge this line of thinking. Learning to accept praise and embrace your achievements can be powerful steps toward improving how you view yourself. 4. "I Knew This Would Happen." This phrase is a testament to the negative anticipation that often accompanies a poor self-image. People who struggle with self-loathing sometimes expect failure or disappointment as a matter of course. Saying "I knew this would happen" serves as a way of confirming their belief that they're somehow defective or not good enough. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces the idea that good things are out of reach. This kind of thinking can make setbacks seem inevitable, even when they're not. Using this phrase frequently can lead to a defeatist attitude, where you start to expect the worst in every situation. This mindset can prevent you from taking risks or trying new things, as you're convinced they'll end in failure. Over time, this attitude can chip away at your motivation, keeping you stuck in a loop of negative outcomes. It's crucial to challenge this type of thinking by recognizing when and why it occurs. Shifting your perspective to focus on potential positive outcomes can gradually change how you view challenges. 5. "I Can't Do Anything Right." Expressing this thought reflects a deeply ingrained sense of inadequacy. People who harbor self-hatred often magnify their mistakes while dismissing their successes. This mindset can become a lens through which they view all their actions, making it difficult to see any positives. By saying "I can't do anything right," they reinforce a narrative that they're incapable of success, which can hinder personal growth. According to Dr. Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, recognizing the power of optimistic thinking can counteract this negative cycle. Repetition of this phrase can undermine your confidence and make you hesitant to pursue new opportunities. It can lead you to avoid situations where you might be judged or evaluated, further isolating you from positive experiences. Holding onto this belief can prevent you from realizing your potential and enjoying life's ups and downs. The more you tell yourself you can't do anything right, the less likely you are to try, trapping you in a cycle of negativity. Focusing on small victories and giving yourself credit where it's due can help break this habit. 6. "I'm Sorry For Everything." This phrase often spills out without thought, especially when you're feeling overly responsible for situations beyond your control. People who struggle with self-esteem issues might find themselves apologizing excessively as a way to preempt criticism or avoid conflict. Saying "I'm sorry" becomes a reflexive habit that can indicate a lack of self-worth. It suggests that you're always at fault, even when you're not, which can erode your confidence over time. Over-apologizing is a way of seeking validation and reassurance, but it can also make you feel even smaller. When you apologize unnecessarily, it diminishes the impact of genuine apologies. It can also lead others to perceive you as lacking confidence, which might affect how they interact with you. This behavior can prevent you from expressing your true feelings or needs, as you become more focused on appeasing others. The cycle of constant apologizing can make you feel like a perpetual burden, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy. Learning to distinguish between situations that genuinely require an apology and those that don't can help build healthier communication habits. 7. "It's No Big Deal." Dismissing your achievements with "it's no big deal" is a common behavior among people who struggle with self-esteem. This phrase is often used to downplay accomplishments, as if they were unimportant or merely accidental. People who dislike themselves find it challenging to internalize their successes, so they minimize them instead. By doing so, they avoid the discomfort of accepting praise and recognition. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology highlighted how self-critical individuals often struggle to accept compliments, viewing them as anomalies rather than a reflection of their true abilities. When you habitually downplay your achievements, it can prevent you from building a positive self-image. It also stops others from acknowledging your strengths, which can limit your opportunities for growth and advancement. Over time, this habit can make you feel invisible or unappreciated, fueling feelings of inadequacy. Recognizing the significance of your accomplishments, no matter how small, is essential for building self-respect. Practicing self-acknowledgment can redefine how you see yourself and your impact on those around you. 8. "I Should Have Known Better." This phrase is often an expression of self-blame when things go wrong. People who say this are usually hard on themselves, convinced that they should have predicted every outcome. "I should have known better" is a way of internalizing failure, even when circumstances were beyond their control. It implies a belief that mistakes are unacceptable and that they should have been avoided. This mindset can prevent you from learning and growing, as you focus more on self-punishment than on progress. The habit of self-blame can lead to a cycle of regret and missed opportunities. It can make you hesitant to take risks or try new things, fearing that any failure will reflect poorly on your judgment. Over time, this attitude can erode your confidence and make you overly cautious. Recognizing that mistakes are a natural part of learning can help shift your mindset toward a more positive outlook. Embracing failures as opportunities for growth can transform how you approach challenges. 9. "Everyone Else Is Better Than Me." Comparing yourself to others is a common pitfall for those who struggle with self-esteem issues. When you say "everyone else is better than me," you reinforce the belief that you're not good enough. This comparison can be damaging, as it focuses on perceived deficiencies rather than acknowledging unique strengths. By constantly measuring yourself against others, you overlook your own achievements and potential. This habit can prevent you from recognizing your worth and celebrating your individuality. The more you compare yourself to others, the more you reinforce feelings of inadequacy. It can lead to a cycle of envy and self-doubt, making it difficult to appreciate what you have to offer. Over time, this mindset can isolate you, as you're less likely to engage with others out of fear of being judged. Recognizing that everyone's journey is different can help break this cycle. Embracing your unique path and focusing on personal growth can lead to a more fulfilling and confident life. 10. "I Can't Believe I Did That." This phrase is often uttered in disbelief, reflecting a sense of shock at having made a mistake. People who struggle with self-hatred tend to magnify their errors, turning minor slip-ups into major catastrophes. "I can't believe I did that" is a way of expressing disappointment in oneself, as if the mistake were entirely avoidable. This mindset can make you hyper-aware of your own actions, leading to increased self-scrutiny. It suggests that you're holding yourself to impossibly high standards, which can be detrimental to your well-being. When you constantly critique yourself for making mistakes, it can hinder your ability to move forward. It can lead to a cycle of self-criticism that makes it difficult to take risks or pursue new opportunities. Over time, this attitude can undermine your confidence, making you more hesitant to trust your own judgment. Learning to view mistakes as part of the learning process can be transformative. Embracing imperfection can help you build resilience and foster a more compassionate relationship with yourself. 11. "I'll Never Be Good Enough." This is a powerful phrase that reflects a deeply ingrained sense of inadequacy. People who secretly hate themselves often internalize this belief, allowing it to shape their self-image. "I'm not good enough" becomes a default mode of thinking, affecting how they approach challenges and relationships. This mindset can prevent you from taking advantage of opportunities, as you're convinced you'll fail. It can also keep you from forming meaningful connections, as you fear that others will see your perceived flaws. Repetition of this belief can limit your potential, making you hesitant to step out of your comfort zone. It can lead to a cycle of negative thinking that reinforces feelings of worthlessness. Over time, this mindset can erode your self-esteem, making it difficult to recognize your own value. Challenging this belief by focusing on your strengths and accomplishments is essential for breaking the cycle. Practicing self-compassion and embracing your unique abilities can help redefine your self-perception. 12. "I'll Never Be Able To Do That." This phrase reflects a sense of hopelessness and defeat before even trying. People who struggle with self-esteem issues often convince themselves that certain goals are unattainable. "I'll never be able to do that" is a way of preemptively avoiding failure by not attempting something at all. This mindset can prevent you from pursuing your dreams and exploring new possibilities. It reinforces the belief that you're incapable, which can be a significant barrier to personal growth. When you consistently tell yourself that you can't achieve something, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This attitude can limit your experiences and keep you from realizing your full potential. Over time, it can lead to a narrowed perspective, where you only focus on what you can't do rather than what you can. Challenging this belief by setting small, achievable goals can help build confidence. Celebrating each step forward can foster a more positive outlook and encourage you to pursue bigger challenges. 13. "Nobody Cares Anyway." This phrase often comes from a place of deep loneliness and disconnection. People who harbor self-hatred may convince themselves that they're invisible or unimportant to others. "Nobody cares anyway" becomes a way of rationalizing their feelings of isolation. This mindset can prevent you from reaching out for support or forming meaningful relationships. It suggests that you're not worthy of attention or care, which can perpetuate feelings of inadequacy. Believing that nobody cares can lead to increased isolation and withdrawal from social interactions. It can make it difficult to seek help or open up about your feelings, as you're convinced it won't make a difference. Over time, this attitude can reinforce a cycle of loneliness and self-doubt. Recognizing that you're worthy of love and support is crucial for breaking this cycle. Building connections and reaching out to others can help challenge this belief and foster a sense of belonging. Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Success Recoil: Why We Sabotage Ourselves When We're Winning
Veronica Angela, PCC, CONQUER EDGE - Corporate & Executive Training - Owner. You work hard. You set ambitious goals. You push through challenges. Then, finally, success starts happening. The dream you once imagined is becoming real. But instead of fully embracing it, something unexpected happens ... You hesitate. You procrastinate. You second-guess yourself. A voice inside whispers: Can I really handle this? What if I mess it all up? Maybe I should slow down ... This isn't just self-doubt. It's what I call the success recoil, the subconscious pullback we experience when we start achieving what we once only dreamed of. Why Does The Success Recoil Happen? Success changes your identity. When you start expanding beyond your old self, your subconscious panics. It sees the unknown as a threat, even if that unknown is exactly what you wanted. This recoil isn't logical. It's emotional. And it happens to even the most driven people. • You suddenly feel unmotivated, even though you're winning. • You create unnecessary problems or distractions. • You avoid decisions that would move you forward. • You tell yourself you're 'too busy' to take the next step. • You start doubting your own abilities (even though you've already proven them). It's like hitting the gas and the brakes at the same time. Consciously, you want success. Subconsciously, you're resisting it. Psychologically, the success recoil taps into what Carl Jung called the shadow self: the parts of us we tend to hide because they feel too raw or vulnerable. As success nears, those repressed fears, feelings of unworthiness or the anxiety of being exposed can surface unexpectedly. They manifest as hesitation, procrastination or outright avoidance of new opportunities. The Fear Of Expansion: A Psychological Threshold Another key aspect of the success recoil is what I call the threshold of expansion. This is the moment when you're poised to push past your current limits, when the success you've worked for suddenly requires you to grow in ways that feel intimidating. Crossing that threshold means venturing into unfamiliar territory, and that discomfort can trigger an almost reflexive retreat. Our minds are wired to favor the familiar. Even when we consciously crave growth, the sudden leap into the unknown can overwhelm our subconscious, leading us to pull back. This recoil isn't a sign that we're incapable; it's simply our inner self's way of warning us that change is on the horizon. How To Stop Sabotaging Yourself And Keep Moving Forward The good news? You don't have to stay stuck in the success recoil. Here's how to break through: The first step is awareness. When you notice yourself hesitating, delaying or shrinking back, pause and ask: 'Is this a real problem, or am I resisting success?' Once you see the recoil happening, you take away its power. Instead of thinking, 'This is too big for me,' reframe it as: • 'This is an exciting new level.' • 'This means I'm growing.' • 'I am allowed to succeed.' Your subconscious will always try to keep you in the familiar. But you are not your subconscious. You get to decide. Action breaks the cycle. Don't wait for the fear to go away; move forward despite it. • Make the phone call. • Launch the project. • Say yes to the opportunity. • Reach out for support—whether from a coach, a friend, a mentor or a colleague—to help validate direction and keep momentum. Momentum is the antidote to recoil. Once you take the next step, the fear starts to dissolve. Success isn't something you 'get lucky' to have. It's something you become. • You earned this. • You belong here. • You can handle it. The more you practice stepping into your success, the more natural it will feel. Final Thought: Step Forward Anyway Success recoil is normal, but it doesn't have to control you. Every time you push through, you expand into a new version of yourself, one that's ready to own the success you once only dreamed of. So, when that voice tells you to pull back, do the opposite. Step forward. You've already done the hard work to get here. Now it's time to let yourself rise. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Forbes
11-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
Reclaim Your Confidence: 4 Ways To Outsmart Self-Doubt
Portrait of smiling young woman A 2020 study found that the average person has more than 6,000 thoughts a day. Here's the catch: 80% of them are negative. If you've ever sat in a meeting thinking, 'I have no idea what I'm doing here,' you're not alone. Nearly 70% of professionals experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers. That voice—the one that questions your competence, downplays your wins, and replays your missteps on a loop—is especially persistent among high performers, particularly women and other historically underrepresented leaders. A little self-doubt can be productive— it keeps us aware and reflective. But when negative self-talk dominates, it doesn't make us humble, it keeps us stuck. We hesitate. We self-censor. We shrink. The good news? That spiral can be disrupted. Here's a four-step strategy to help shift your internal dialogue, so the voice in your head becomes a coach, not a critic. 1. Collect data. Start by identifying when your inner critic is most vocal. Is it right before you speak up in a meeting? When you're emailing a senior leader? On a first date? Pay attention to the setting, the trigger, the emotion. Write it down— in a journal, your Notes app, anywhere accessible. You're not solving it yet; you're observing the pattern. It might feel like the criticism is louder than usual, but that's just awareness sharpening your focus. Research shows that writing things down boosts recall and learning. The more clearly you see and understand your thought patterns, the more power you have to reshape them. 2. Name the voice. Give your inner critic a name, and go big and dramatic. 'Evil [Your Name]' works, but don't stop there. Create a persona, a costume, a dramatic flair. Make it cartoonish if you want. Talk about it out loud with a good friend. Why? Because personifying the inner critic creates distance. It becomes something you witness, not something you are. Research links humor and creativity with increased resilience. Playfulness isn't just comforting; it's a tactical way to reduce imposter syndrome's grip. 3. Dissect the criticism. Broad, sweeping statements like 'You're a failure' are rarely true and never useful. Instead, trace the thought back to its origin, and respond the way a trusted friend would if you came to them with this dilemma. Here's how that might look: Or: This isn't about sugarcoating, it's about applying a realistic, compassionate lens. Constructive self-talk starts with context. 4. Set boundaries and stand up to the critic. Once you've identified your triggers, you'll begin to anticipate when your inner critic will creep up. You may not eliminate it, but you can contain it. Set a time limit: 'I'll give this voice five minutes, then I'm moving on or calling a friend.' Prepare a few sassy comebacks. 'Of course you're here right before a big presentation. But I'm prepared, and I've done this before. You'll be gone in ten minutes.' It takes practice, but each time you push back, that voice loses a bit of its power. Taming your inner critic begins with awareness and a plan. This framework won't silence self-doubt overnight, but it can help you recognize the voice, question its narrative, and reclaim control. Because confidence isn't the absence of doubt, it's learning how to move forward, even when doubt shows up.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
Following Your Passion
It's easy to overlook the value of figuring out what you are truly skilled at. Passion indeed sparks inspiration, but without competence, it often burns out. The words 'passion' and 'compassion,' unsurprisingly, share a similar Latin root, 'pati,' meaning 'suffer,' and 'compati,' translating to 'suffer with.' The word passion traveled the winding road from Latin to Old English, to Old French. Romans associated suffering with Prometheus, so the Christian application of passion as it refers to Jesus's suffering and death also remained intact, but we might scratch our heads at how suffering arrived at the widespread usage to mean strong and barely controllable emotion and an intense desire or enthusiasm. However, if you think about it, any of us who have loved intensely and lost love understand passion in this context, just as do any of us who have acted on our passions for producing art (including writing books!) or the passion required to start a business, for with all things requiring intense emotional outpouring, there will be disappointment, setbacks, and jarring moments of self-doubt. Suffering, my friends, is part of the human condition. But I'll tell you two things: 1) once we link passion and compassion, when we realize that 'suffering with' others, sharing their pain and disappointment, seeing our unity in the human condition and its inevitable ups and downs, we find a pathway to acting on the pure joy found in passion alongside the intense emotion that comes with our stumbles; and 2) the hard things we will encounter never outweigh the rewards of acting on our passion. 'Follow your passion' is advice we hear all the time. It's easy to overlook the value of figuring out what you are truly skilled at. Passion indeed sparks inspiration, but without competence, it often burns out. Likewise, relying solely on what you are good at—without any emotional connection can lead to a mechanical and mundane life. 'The Bloom Within' — A poetic celebration of inner beauty and growth. The rich background feels floral and expansive, suggesting a soul in full bloom. As you may have gathered already if you have perused this website at all, I have passion for many things, including my work as a clinician, an artist, and photographer as evidenced by the images you'll can view in the gallery and those that illustrate my book Fractured but Fearless. The art I produce is a pure expression of my emotion, work that brings me great joy, work for which the reward is entirely intrinsic and 'success' is measured in the process of creating and in the satisfaction of having created. And, yes, as anyone who participates in artistic expression in any form—writing, music, dance…in any medium you might name—there is often suffering along the way, suffering in trying to get the process right, in recalling memories or loved ones now passed, in translating emotions we don't fully understand. I make my living by practicing medicine and as a healthcare executive, but both of those pursuits are every bit as much passion ventures for me as are art, photography, and writing. The pursuit of excellence in healthcare is a personal crusade fueled by a deep-seated passion to make a tangible difference in the lives of my patients. When I first began to expand my vision of the impact I could have in healthcare by becoming an entrepreneur, one hospital CEO asked me, 'Dr Ali, why do you want to expand your services to another market?' I replied, 'Destiny is a very big word for a small man like me, but I feel this is mine. I don't have to fix everything, but I would like to do my part.' 'Echoes in Silence' — Suggests thoughtful introspection, with a calm atmosphere where the mind echoes inwardly, reflecting past experiences. Part of the beauty on this Earth is that we are all driven by different passions. We are as unique as snowflakes. Some argue that people place too much emphasis on passion, that passion can be unrealistic, that passion cannot necessarily pay the bills. They, in short, see life as filled with necessary suffering. And while it is true that we all must accomplish some essential things to keep ourselves alive, who are we to judge another's passion? I think often of an elderly man in a small village in my native Pakistan. He has a perpetual smile on his face. He laughs with ease. He has few material possessions. He lives a simple life. But he is close to his family, finds real pleasure in sipping tea with cherished friends, likes to be outside in pleasant weather. In the West, we might accuse this man of not having ambition, but perhaps he has found happiness we have missed. If true, it is because we have mistaken an understanding of his passions. Our own passions may be different. They may be more 'ambitious.' But whatever we do in this life, should we not find extreme emotion in participating in the things in which we find meaning? No matter the nature of our passion, will we suffer along the way? Of course. Life's not just sunshine and rainbows. Moments of relief, rebellion, experiment, and freedom are as much a part of the fabric of life as challenges and uncertainties. That's the beauty of it all—the messy, intricate, and wonderfully unpredictable journey we call life. Let's meet it with passion.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Hidden Inner Narratives Behind High Performance
Sandro da Silva is the Chief Growth Officer at Bettercoach, a triple-accredited executive coach, and coach supervisor. In high-achieving environments, where excellence and drive are rewarded, there is often another layer to the story—one that's not visible on résumes or dashboards. Behind confident presentations and strategic decisions, many senior executives carry quiet, internal burdens: self-doubt, the pressure to overperform, perfectionism and the persistent feeling of never quite being enough. These narratives don't usually come up in performance reviews or team meetings. But they do in coaching conversations. In these safer, more reflective spaces, these narratives surface with clarity and power. And when they do, they reveal something essential about how senior executives exercise their leadership, work and relate to themselves. When Achievement Masks Inner Turmoil High performers are often driven by deeply embedded beliefs and habits. They strive, care and deliver. But many also hold internal scripts that push them relentlessly: • "I can't show weakness." • "If I don't do it, no one will." • "I should always be in control." • "I still haven't done enough." These beliefs often stem from early life experiences, societal expectations or professional conditioning, particularly in cultures or industries where modesty, harmony or service to others are highly valued. Research shows that such internalized patterns are especially prevalent among professionals in high-performance cultures and underrepresented groups. The ongoing drive to prove oneself can lead to heightened self-monitoring, perfectionism and over-responsibility, all of which quietly erode well-being over time. When these inner narratives go unexamined, they silently shape behavior in ways that become unsustainable. Executives begin to over-function. They say yes too often. They put others' needs—including the organization's—ahead of their own. They succeed, outwardly. But over time, they may also burn out, feel isolated or question their own value. Naming What's Underneath Executive coaching provides a powerful space to pause and listen more closely to these internal narratives. Once a senior executive becomes aware of the voice behind their actions—not just what they're doing, but why they're doing it‚ they gain clarity and choice. Instead of automatically taking on more, they begin to ask: • "What story am I believing right now? And to what extent is it real?" • "Whose expectations am I trying to meet?" • "What would shift if I spoke to myself with more compassion or clarity?" As one client recently put it, "I always thought my over-functioning was just who I am and how the game must be played here if I want to be successful. Now I see it was something I learned—and something I can unlearn." This awareness doesn't make senior executives less ambitious or engaged. On the contrary, it frees up energy. It supports healthier boundaries, clearer priorities and a stronger sense of purpose, not just performance. Three Steps To Rewriting The Script If you recognize any of these patterns in yourself or your team, here are a few places to start: When things go wrong or feel uncertain, what does your mind say? Is that voice helpful—or harsh? Maybe it's "I took on that extra work because I believed saying no would make me seem less committed." Or "I stayed quiet in the meeting because I wasn't sure my idea was good enough." Instead of "I need to prove myself," try "I belong here. My voice matters." Instead of "I shouldn't need help," try "Asking for help is a strength." These shifts are simple, but not always easy. They take intention, support and practice. That's where coaching, peer dialogue and leadership development programs come in. Leading From The Inside Out Our coaches often encounter these hidden narratives in their coaching work with senior professionals across industries and cultures. Whether it's in global consulting firms, fast-growing tech companies or legacy organizations in transition, the inner experience of high performance is rarely addressed but always present. That's why we design programs that create safe, intentional spaces for professionals to explore not just what they do, but how they think and feel in the process. Because when the internal shifts, the external follows. Recent research supports what we observe in practice. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that while leader perfectionism can drive harmonious work passion, it often also heightens pressure, leading to lower performance and well-being. Even the most successful executives are not immune to the cost of unexamined internal standards. Similarly, a May 2025 Ivy Exec article explored executive burnout through the lens of existential philosophy, showing how success can become a stand-in for self-worth. When identity becomes tied to performance, burnout becomes inevitable. The most sustainable form of leadership starts from within. It's grounded not just in what you do, but in how you relate to yourself in the process. When we shift the internal narratives that no longer serve us, we unlock a more grounded, authentic and human-centered kind of success. Not louder. Not harder. Just clearer. And from that clarity, everything changes. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
