The Burnout Cycle: The Overdrive Phase

### The Burnout Cycle: The Overdrive Phase

When Momentum Starts to Become Pressure
Thursday at 12:00 PM PT
In this session we’ll explore the second phase of the burnout cycle: Overdrive.
If the first phase of burnout is the spark, this is the stage where that energy begins to turn into sustained effort and momentum.
Things that once felt exciting begin to require more time, more attention, and more responsibility. We may find ourselves saying yes to more opportunities, taking on more commitments, or pushing ourselves to keep up with the pace that was set during the honeymoon stage.
At first, this often feels productive and rewarding. We may feel capable, motivated, and even proud of how much we’re accomplishing.
But over time, this phase can quietly shift from engagement to overextension.
In this session we’ll explore how the Overdrive phase shows up in different burnout patterns:
• Warrior burnout – leaning fully into the momentum and pushing harder, often taking on more responsibility than is sustainable
• Fortress burnout – beginning to feel overwhelmed by the pace and withdrawing internally while still trying to keep up externally
• Winging It burnout – riding waves of productivity and enthusiasm while juggling more projects or ideas than can realistically be sustained
One of the tricky parts of this stage is that the signals our bodies send can be confusing.
Sometimes we feel energized and motivated—even when we’re gradually stretching beyond our limits.
Other times we may feel tension or fatigue but dismiss it because things are “going well” or because we don’t want to lose the momentum.
During the Overdrive phase, it’s easy to tell ourselves things like:
• “I can keep this up.”
• “This is just a busy season.”
• “I’ll rest later.”
And sometimes that’s true. But sometimes this phase is the moment where the burnout cycle quietly begins to build.
Understanding this stage can help us notice when momentum is starting to shift toward unsustainable pressure.
The goal isn’t to eliminate ambition or productivity. The Overdrive phase often includes meaningful work, creativity, and growth.
But recognizing when we’re entering this phase can help us make small adjustments earlier—before the cycle moves further toward strain and exhaustion.

### Format of the session

• Short teaching segment where I’ll walk through the Overdrive phase of the burnout cycle
• Group discussion about how this stage shows up in work, relationships, and creative projects
• A brief reflection where you’ll be invited to consider one small “permission slip” you might experiment with as you navigate periods of high momentum
I will be recording the educational portion of the session so that the teaching can be shared later with a broader audience. The discussion portion will not be recorded, so people can feel comfortable sharing if they choose.
Sometimes the most helpful question in this stage isn’t:
“Can I keep going?”
It might be:
“What pace would allow me to keep going well?”