Running on Empty
Peak Performance Today Newsletter #13
She was a senior executive at a major investment firm—sharp, driven, and relentless in her pursuit of results. Her days started before sunrise with global market updates and didn’t stop until long after the closing bell. She thrived on challenge…until the challenge started to consume her.
It wasn’t one moment that broke her...it was the accumulation of stress, long hours, and the unrelenting pressure to deliver.
The tipping point came in a quarterly strategy meeting. Normally cool and composed, she froze during a tough line of questioning. Her confidence wavered. She left the room feeling like she had let everyone down.
“I wasn’t just exhausted. I felt disconnected from my edge. I didn’t feel like that was me in that meeting.”
That moment forced her to confront something she’d long ignored:
Resilience isn’t about pushing through...it’s about how fast you can bounce back.
So we started with simple, intentional changes:
A short end-of-day reflection to unpack emotional residue and reframe challenges.
Tactical breathing before big presentations to settle nerves and sharpen focus.
A morning mindset check-in to ground her in purpose before the chaos of the day.
These weren’t grand gestures...just small routines that built emotional muscle. Within weeks, she felt more grounded. Clearer. More in control.
She didn’t need to become someone new. She just needed to reconnect with her inner stability.
That’s what resilience looks like in action.
And it’s not just for executives. It’s a toolkit anyone can build, one moment at a time.
What Is Resilience, Really?
Resilience isn’t about never feeling stress or pressure...it’s about how we respond when it shows up.
High performers across all domains, from athletes to CEOs, aren’t successful because they avoid adversity. They’re successful because they’ve trained themselves to:
Reframe setbacks as feedback
Stay composed under pressure
Recover quickly without losing momentum
Resilience is a muscle, and like any muscle, it strengthens with the right reps.
Daily Resilience Routines
These simple practices help you build bounce-back power over time:
Morning Mindset Reset
End-of-Day Reframe
Tactical Breathing Under Pressure
Gratitude & Growth Journaling
From Setback to Setup
Resilience isn’t built in the good times. It’s forged in moments of tension, fatigue, and adversity. But we don’t need to wait for burnout to become more resilient.
The best part is we can train it.
Daily.
Start with one of the rituals above. Commit to doing it for a week. Notice what changes—not just in how you feel, but in how you lead.
Because the most durable leaders aren’t the ones who never stumble. They’re the ones who rise, reset, and re-engage...every single time.
Quick Win
Before bed tonight, take 3 minutes to write down:
One challenge you faced today
How you responded
One thing you’ll try differently tomorrow
Tiny reflections = big growth.
Here’s to building emotional agility…one clear, intentional choice at a time.
With focus and clarity,
Coach Ed Padalecki
Peak Performance Today