The Burnout Loop: Why High Performers Get Trapped

Burnout loop and high performer burnout: why driven people get trapped in stress and performance cycles Dopamine and cortisol explained in plain English, plus real-world signs of burnout, overwork and exhaustion Understand the chronic stress cycle and learn simple steps to protect your productivity and mental health

What You'll Learn:

• Spot the early signs of burnout unique to high performers before they explode into full-blown exhaustion.
• Understand how the burnout loop works: the three-stage cycle of dopamine, cortisol, over-engagement, and depletion.
• Recognize how ‘grit gone wrong’ shows up in your day-to-day work, from overwork and blurred boundaries to numbing out after hours.
• Map the link between stress and performance so you can distinguish healthy drive from a dangerous chronic stress cycle.
• Identify one specific area in your current life or work where the burnout loop might be quietly running the show.
• Use a simple written reflection exercise to lock in what you’ve learned and turn insight into action.
• Choose one small, realistic action this week to interrupt your burnout loop and support work stress recovery.
• Create a personal checkpoint ritual to regularly reassess your energy, capacity, and mental health before they crash.