Tell me something good
At the end of last week, I was volunteering with the youth group at my church when a friend looked at me and asked a simple question: “Tell me something good that happened in your week.”
And guess what? I was dumbfounded. No words. Total silence.
I laughed it off and made a joke, but internally? I was disturbed. I had just poured 50—likely closer to 60—hours into my workweek, and I couldn't summon a single positive memory? That felt heavy. It felt like a warning sign.
In my book By Design, I talk about how we spend more than 30% of our lives at work. That is time you never get back. It’s time traded away from loved ones, passion projects, and rest. If we are making that trade, the hours spent at our desks need to matter. They need to align with our values and our joy.
The Burnout Fog
Last week was particularly difficult because, like many of you might be feeling right now, things at work felt like they were spiraling out of control. When we are overwhelmed, our brains switch into survival mode. We get so swept up in the "grind" that we stop bookmarking the wins.
When my friend asked me that question, I "crashed out" because I hadn't taken the time to acknowledge the impact I was actually making. I was so busy surviving the week that I forgot to actually experience it.
Revisiting the Bright Spots
Once I took a breath and actually audited my week, I realized I was making a mistake. I was letting the "everything else" cloud the truly wonderful moments. Here is what I found when I actually looked:
Passion in Action: I kicked off a project I’m deeply invested in with a group of brilliant people. We have a real chance to do some good here.
Scale: I developed AI learning that will impact hundreds of teammates across three continents.
Connection: I stepped outside my silo, connected with new colleagues, and finally felt like I was "getting" the future of AI.
Community: I brought my team together for a cheesy Valentine’s Day-themed meeting. It was light, it was fun, and we needed it.
Peace-making: I mediated a conflict that had been weighing on the group.
I love my job, but I realized that acknowledging these bright spots isn't just "toxic positivity"—it’s a survival strategy. It’s how we protect our brains from burnout during challenging seasons.
Stop spiralling because things are changing. Revisit. Reframe. Respond.
When you feel like you’re running on empty, take a second to update your internal "data." Don't let your impact fly under your own radar.
Now, it’s your turn: What was one good thing—no matter how small—that happened in your workweek? Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to celebrate it with you.
Remember: Your career is your journey. Don't sit around waiting for the "everything else" to sort itself out. Take control of the narrative, lean into the discomfort, and build the future you want.
Ready to level up your resilience? If you want to dive deeper into creating a career you love, even in the midst of uncertainty, grab a copy of my book, By Design.
Need to chat about a specific transition? Let’s talk. Book a free discovery session with me today to explore how coaching can help you lean in rather than lean back.
Until next time, live free!!
Cheers!
Blessing
