Are you running on fumes?

There was a season in my career when I looked “fine” on the outside.

Deadlines were met.
My team trusted me.
I kept everything moving.

But inside?
I was running on fumes.

I told myself I couldn’t stop.
That if I slowed down, everything would unravel.

So I kept going.

Exhausted.
Depleted.
Disconnected from myself.

Looking back, I realize burnout wasn’t just about being tired.
It was about being disconnected.

From meaning.
From my why.
From the parts of leadership that used to bring me alive.

That experience is one of the reasons I started Carpenter Leadership Consulting.

Because I know what it’s like to carry the weight quietly.
And I know how powerful it can be to have the right support to pause, reflect, and reset.

If you’re in that place now, ask yourself:
- What’s fueling me right now?
- What’s draining me?
- What would make work feel more sustainable, not just successful?
- Who do I trust to help me name what needs to shift?

Showing up matters.
But showing up as yourself matters more.

You don’t have to burn out to prove you care.