The Hidden Key to Sustainable Growth
High achievers are taught to "raise the bar" — to outdo their best performance and push harder for the next goal. But what if that approach is actually what's keeping you stuck in cycles of leadership burnout, frustration, and exhaustion?
The problem is that the "raise the bar" model only focuses on your ceiling — your best. It completely ignores your floor. It puts all the focus on having to overachieve what you've already done without recognizing the biggest opportunity in front of you.
But what happens after years of operating that way?
At some point, the effort it takes to beat your best starts to outweigh the return. You're putting in more hours, more thought, more energy, but the results start to flatten out. You might hit the goal, but it costs you peace of mind, presence, or health to maintain it.
In this episode, Blake shares a concept that will completely shift how you approach growth – something that has helped create sustainable success and inspire personal growth for executives. She explains why the more you can shorten the depth & duration of your most challenging moments, the higher everything else rises. And it rises with far less effort.
You'll learn how to identify & remove the hidden misalignments that drain your energy and slow your growth and discover how to create more momentum, impact & peace without pushing harder or "doing more." Because when you raise your floor, you're not just increasing your capacity. You're reclaiming your energy, your clarity & your peace of mind.
Episode Highlights
The Problem with "Raising the Bar"
[01:15] - Why the traditional achievement model leads to burnout
[02:00] - What happens after years of pushing harder
[02:45] - The hidden cost of always beating your best
The Power of Raising Your Floor
[03:30] - Why your lowest lows determine your long-term success
[04:15] - How sustainable success comes from minimizing friction
[05:00] - Research on burnout & productivity loss in the workplace
What Stops Us from Raising the Floor
[06:30] - The wrong questions we ask when we feel stuck
[07:15] - Shifting from "what's in my way" to "what do I need to operate at my best"
[08:00] - Real coaching example: identifying energy drains in 10 minutes
A Real-Time Coaching Story
[08:45] - How one leader transformed her relationship with her boss
[09:30] - Using your body & emotions as data, not judgment
[11:00] - The pattern of misalignment & how it shows up everywhere
How to Start Raising Your Floor Today
[12:30] - A simple exercise to identify your top 2-3 energy drains
[13:30] - Recognizing the difference between flow & friction
[14:15] - How small shifts create powerful change
Powerful Quotes
"Your long-term success, growth, and well-being are not determined by your highest highs. They're actually determined by your lowest lows." —Blake Schofield
"Our emotions and what's happening in our energy, they're just data. They're not showing you a weakness in who you are or a judgment of who you are. They're just information your body is sending you." —Blake Schofield
"Most people spend their lives trying to beat their best. But leaders who truly thrive learn to minimize their worst and optimize based on how they're naturally wired to thrive." —Blake Schofield
Resources Mentioned
Drained at the end of the day & want more presence in your life? In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type/
The Fastest Path to Clarity, Confidence & Your Next Level of Success: executive coaching for leaders navigating layered challenges. Whether you’re burned out, standing at a crossroads, or simply know you’re meant for more—you don’t have to figure it out alone. Go to impactwithease.com/coaching to apply!
Ready to Future-Proof Your Leadership? Let’s explore what’s possible for your team. Whether you’re navigating rapid growth, culture change, or quiet disengagement…we can help with our high-touch, root-cause focused solutions that are designed to help grow resilient, aligned & empowered leaders who navigate uncertainty with confidence and create impact without burning out, go to https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/
