The Instinct to Run: Finding Relief from Workplace Stress

So many leaders I work with lament the desire to start over. The urge to run from discomfort. A daily habit of daydreaming about different career opportunities. 

Ultimately, what they are dreaming of is a sense of relief. 

If this describes you, I want you to know two things up front:

You're not alone.
You're not broken.

This instinct to run isn't a sign of failure or weakness. It's a natural human response to prolonged stress and the inability to resolve it. We are hardwired with a fight-or-flight mechanism, and there comes a point where fighting no longer feels sustainable; fleeing seems to be the only viable option.

It’s no wonder that this natural human response is now pervasive amongst business owners, entrepreneurs, and executive leaders:

• 95% of entrepreneurs are unsure of how to achieve a healthy work-life balance. (ZipDo)
• 70% of C-Level executives are considering quitting for a job that better supports their well-being. (Deloitte)
• 75% of small Business Owners report some level of burnout. (Gallup)

If you find yourself nodding along with these statistics, let me remind you again:

You're not alone.
You're not broken.

It may be that on the surface, everything your current role and current employer appear to be the perfect fit; but internally, you recognize that the conditions that once fostered your growth and happiness are no longer serving you.It could be the job you've always wanted or a role where you used to shine. 

But now? 

It just doesn't fit with who you are or align with your needs in this season.

Or maybe you're excelling in your role, doing a thousand things you're exceptionally good at, but the sparks and joy that should accompany that success? They are nonexistent. 

You're not alone.
You're not broken.

However, you ARE in need of a sense of relief and a glimmer of hope. And the good news? 

It’s closer than you think.

Your trek toward relief and fulfillment starts, very simply, with a safe space to dream. A space where you can:

• Give voice to the weight you carry without judgment. 
• Find perspective and possibility.
• Aspire and dream without restraint.  

A few years ago, in the ache of true burnout, I was given the gift of a safe space when I needed it the most—and it was transformative. It changed the trajectory of my career and life. 

I found comfort and relief. I felt seen and encouraged. I experienced a spark of hope and excitement when I realized that my dreams of something different weren’t outlandish or foolish; they were a gut level instinct calling me toward my next chapter. 

That chapter is exactly where I find myself now. One of my greatest joys and privileges is to provide that same safe space for leaders like you. 

The urge to escape doesn’t always mean that a completely different path is the answer. Often, in conversation with a weary leader, I find that a few adjustments and mindset shifts can transform their experience with their current reality. And where there was withering, we ignite new growth and life.

Whether you're a small business owner who used to love what you do, but now struggles to envision a future where you keep doing it; or an executive leader facing disillusionment and frustration due to organizational walls and issues you never thought you’d face; or an overwhelmed professional feeling hopeless when it comes to balancing a breadwinning career and being fully present at home when it matters most—there is a path forward. And that path doesn't have to be a lonely one.

The journey to rediscovering joy in your work starts with a conversation—a conversation about dreams, possibilities, and practical steps towards change. That conversation could happen with a trusted mentor or friend. It could happen with a former colleague or leader that you admire and respect. Sometimes, that conversation is best placed with a coach, whose sole responsibility is to help you move from an undesirable “Point A” to the next incredible phase in your life’s adventure. 

This blog post isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a heartfelt effort to inspire you to ACT. It’s a soul-level invitation into the welcoming warmth that is a better version of you. And it’s a simple acknowledgement of the reality you’re experiencing and the renewed joy that awaits you.

May you take a first step today toward that joy today, confident that you’re worth every ounce of it.

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About Lindsay Harris and Leader Haven

A Positive Intelligence Coach(TM) and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, Lindsay established Leader Haven to help leaders rediscover joy and dismantle dysfunction. An acclaimed speaker and coach, Lindsay finds her joy and energy sharing tools and expertise that increase productivity, give teams renewed trust and collaboration, and empower leaders with confidence, hope, and fulfillment.