Frustration and confusion: The discomfort of growth

Frustration and confusion: The discomfort of growth

Have you been feeling more frustrated, emotionally drained, or confused, even though nothing is technically "wrong"? That feeling isn't a sign you're failing. It might actually be a sign you're growing. So many high-achieving leaders hit a point where things that used to energize them start to feel flat. Small things suddenly bother them. They go quiet in conversations, pulled inward by a desire they haven't let themselves admit. And instead of recognizing these as signs of outgrowing the life they've built, they wonder what's wrong with them. In this episode, Blake shares what growth actually looks and feels like before the clarity arrives, and why the discomfort you're experiencing may not be dysfunction at all. Episode Highlights Why Growth Rarely Starts With Clarity [01:02] – The emotional signs you've outgrown your current way of living or leading [02:45] – Why frustration, confusion & emotional sensitivity are so often misunderstood [04:10] – "You pay the full price emotionally on your unused potential" Why High Achievers Get Stuck in Loops [06:30] – You can't see the label from inside the bottle [08:15] – Why going to friends & family often keeps you more stuck [10:00] – When to stop spinning and seek outside perspective The Blender at the Bottom of the Ocean [12:20] – Why forcing clarity creates more confusion [14:05] – How to let the sediment settle so you can actually see [15:30] – The difference between discomfort and unnecessary suffering Whispers, Knocks & Bangs [17:10] – Why misalignment gets louder the longer you ignore it [19:00] – Susan's story: 20 years of pushing through before the house came down [21:15] – How to start hearing the signals earlier and move through them with more ease Powerful Quotes "One of the most misunderstood parts of growth is that it rarely starts with clarity. It usually starts with frustration." –Blake Schofield "You pay the full price emotionally on your unused potential." –Randy Massengale "The longer you push through in misalignment, the worse it gets. It starts as a whisper, then a knock, then a bang, and then the whole house comes down." –Blake Schofield "There is a discomfort in growth, but there doesn't need to be suffering." –Blake Schofield Resources Mentioned Let's explore what's possible for your team: If your company is investing in burnout, wellness or adaptability initiatives, but seeing rising burnout, disengagement, or retention risk, it may be time to address the root cause. We identify & diagnose organizational risk - surfacing the key drivers of burnout, leadership capacity and adaptability strains impacting your team; reduce leadership attrition, disengagement and preventable turnover; equip your leaders with the skills to increase their productivity & lead effectively during pressure and uncertainty. Explore Workshops, Leadership Capacity Risk Assessments, Leadership Development or Consulting at https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/ [https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/] Executive Coaching: For founders, executives, and senior leaders who are successful but feeling drained, stagnant, or uncertain about their next step. 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 [http://impactwithease.com/coaching] to apply! Discover what is driving your burnout: In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type [http://www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type]

She Knew Everything About Money… and Still Went Bankrupt (with Susan Glusica)

Have you ever done everything "right", followed the plan, built the skills, put in the work, and still found yourself burned out, stuck, and wondering what went wrong? That's exactly where Susan Glusica found herself. Signs of career misalignment are often hardest to see in the people who appear the most successful on the outside. After 20 years on Wall Street at firms like Goldman Sachs, Reuters, and Guardian, Susan understood money better than almost anyone. And yet — despite checking every box — she ended up in bankruptcy, drowning in shame and a pattern she couldn't see her way out of. In this episode, Blake sits down with Susan to unpack what happens when highly capable people keep pushing through frustration, burnout, and misalignment without addressing the real root cause — and what finally changes when they do. Episode Highlights The Hidden Signs of Career Misalignment [03:46] – The "crisis of legacy": when success stops feeling meaningful [06:30] – Why the most capable people often miss misalignment the longest [09:20] – How self-reliance quietly becomes a trap From Wall Street to Bankruptcy [13:00] – Excited, not terrified: why her transition felt right ( until it didn't) [18:37] – Doing all the things right while something underneath was off [20:43] – What was actually happening day to day when it all fell apart Why Highly Capable People Stay Stuck Longer [26:07] – Whisper, knock, bang and the house comes down [28:10] – The shame of "I should have known better" [32:39] – How strength and resilience become the very thing keeping you stuck The Turning Point: Asking for Help [36:01] – Discovering your Unique Fingerprint for Success™ [40:43] – How desperation cracked open the willingness to receive [43:05] – What changes when you stop coming from a place of fear Rebuilding a Life That Feels Aligned [46:38] – Why courage isn't forced, it comes through the heart [50:04] – Trusting your inner compass even when it makes no sense [51:35] – What becomes possible when you stop solving the wrong problem Powerful Quotes "I would wake up with my stomach in knots every single day. That's not a good way to live." – Susan Glusica "The signs of misalignment are always there. It's how we're interpreting them that changes everything." – Blake Schofield "Nothing is easier than fully expressing your God-given innate talents in exchange for equal money for the betterment of humanity." – Susan Glusica "It is the ways that we guilt and shame ourselves that keep us trapped, that keep us from seeking help, that keep us from recognizing that what's happening to us is not about our worth or our value." – Blake Schofield Connect with Susan Glusica LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanglusica/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanglusica/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneyenergymastery/ [https://www.instagram.com/moneyenergymastery/] Resources Mentioned Let's explore what's possible for your team: If your company is investing in burnout, wellness or adaptability initiatives, but seeing rising burnout, disengagement, or retention risk, it may be time to address the root cause. We identify & diagnose organizational risk - surfacing the key drivers of burnout, leadership capacity and adaptability strains impacting your team; reduce leadership attrition, disengagement and preventable turnover; equip your leaders with the skills to increase their productivity & lead effectively during pressure and uncertainty. Explore Workshops, Leadership Capacity Risk Assessments, Leadership Development or Consulting at https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/ [https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/] Executive Coaching: For founders, executives, and senior leaders who are successful but feeling drained, stagnant, or uncertain about their next step. 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 [http://impactwithease.com/coaching] to apply! Discover what is driving your burnout: In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type [http://www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type]

Why it keeps coming back… no matter what you change

Why it keeps coming back… no matter what you change Have you ever wondered "Why do I feel the same after changing jobs?" You've made big changes, adjusted how you work, done the inner work, and it all helped, for a while. But the feeling came back. Same heaviness, different circumstances. For high-achieving leaders, this cycle rarely looks like failure from the outside. You're still showing up, still performing, still trying to make it better. But no matter what you change, you keep landing in the same place. In this episode, Blake breaks down why the changes you keep making aren't solving the problem, and what's actually driving the pattern. Episode Highlights The Cycle That Keeps Repeating [01:10] – Why change creates relief, but not lasting results [02:05] – How progress can feel real and still leave you back at square one The Misdiagnosis That Keeps You Stuck [03:00] – Why we assume it's the job, the role, or the situation [03:45] – How trying harder actually reinforces the wrong solution [04:30] – Why every time the pattern repeats, it gets a little heavier Why Nothing You've Tried Has Fixed It [05:10] – The difference between surface changes and what's actually driving the experience [05:50] – What it means to solve a problem from the same place it's being created Powerful Quotes "You're solving the wrong problem. You're trying to fix what's happening on the surface… but what's actually driving that experience hasn't changed." — Blake Schofield "You can do everything right. You can make the smart decisions, take the right steps, follow the right path — and still end up feeling like something isn't working." — Blake Schofield "If the thing you're trying to fix isn't actually the problem, then no amount of changes are going to solve it." — Blake Schofield Resources Mentioned Let's explore what's possible for your team: If your company is investing in burnout, wellness or adaptability initiatives, but seeing rising burnout, disengagement, or retention risk, it may be time to address the root cause. We identify & diagnose organizational risk - surfacing the key drivers of burnout, leadership capacity and adaptability strains impacting your team; reduce leadership attrition, disengagement and preventable turnover; equip your leaders with the skills to increase their productivity & lead effectively during pressure and uncertainty. Explore Workshops, Leadership Capacity Risk Assessments, Leadership Development or Consulting at https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/ [https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/] Executive Coaching: For founders, executives, and senior leaders who are successful but feeling drained, stagnant, or uncertain about their next step. 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 [http://impactwithease.com/coaching] to apply! Discover what is driving your burnout: In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type [http://www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type]

Why doesn't success feel the way I thought it would?

Why doesn't success feel the way I thought it would? You've worked hard, hit the goals, built the life. So why does something still feel… off? If you've ever caught yourself wondering, "Why am I successful but unhappy?", or "Why am I not satisfied with my career?", you're not alone, and you're not broken. For so many high-achieving leaders, the challenge isn't a lack of drive or skill. It's the quiet, unsettled feeling that keeps coming back no matter what you achieve or change. In this episode, Blake unpacks why success can feel empty, why small fixes only help temporarily, and what's really going on beneath the surface. If you've been questioning your career, your motivation, or why you can't just feel satisfied, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights When Success Doesn't Match the Feeling [00:45] – Why external success doesn't guarantee internal fulfillment [01:20] – The quiet tension high performers feel but rarely say out loud [02:10] – How identity tied to work makes it hard to admit something's wrong The Hidden Cost of Staying Stuck [03:05] – Why "just be more grateful" or "care less" keeps you stuck longer [03:55] – How the spark of energy and excitement slowly disappears over time Why Nothing Seems to Fix It [04:40] – Why small changes bring temporary relief but land you in the same place [05:20] – The pattern that repeats across different circumstances — and what it means Powerful Quotes "It's hard when you're successful and unhappy because so many people push the message that this is just the price you pay for success." — Blake Schofield "You keep putting in the effort, keep achieving the goals, and you keep ending back in the same place." — Blake Schofield There is more possibility for your life than this. There is a way to build a life where you are energized by meaningful work and you still have the energy to enjoy the rest of your life." — Blake Schofield Resources Mentioned Let's explore what's possible for your team: If your company is investing in burnout, wellness or adaptability initiatives, but seeing rising burnout, disengagement, or retention risk, it may be time to address the root cause. We identify & diagnose organizational risk - surfacing the key drivers of burnout, leadership capacity and adaptability strains impacting your team; reduce leadership attrition, disengagement and preventable turnover; equip your leaders with the skills to increase their productivity & lead effectively during pressure and uncertainty. Explore Workshops, Leadership Capacity Risk Assessments, Leadership Development or Consulting at https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/ [https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/] Executive Coaching: For founders, executives, and senior leaders who are successful but feeling drained, stagnant, or uncertain about their next step. 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 [http://impactwithease.com/coaching] to apply! Discover what is driving your burnout: In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type [http://www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type]

Why What You're Doing Isn't Working (and You Still Feel Stuck)

Why What You're Doing Isn't Working (and You Still Feel Stuck) Do you feel stuck in your career even though you're successful? You've thought it through, tried different approaches, talked to people you trust, and something still feels off. That's not a strategy problem. That's a visibility problem. For high-achieving leaders, feeling stuck rarely shows up all at once. It starts quietly, a sense that something's off, a question you can't answer: Is this really where I'm supposed to be? So you do what you've always done. You figure it out. New approaches, better strategies, more effort. And for a while, it feels like progress. But underneath it all, nothing is actually resolving. In this episode, Blake breaks down why the effort you're putting in isn't moving you forward, and she uncovers what's actually keeping you stuck. Episode Highlights Why You Feel Stuck Even Though You're Successful [00:03] – Real leadership means no more choosing between your career and your life [01:12] – How stuckness shows up subtly: quiet questioning, something feeling "off" [02:40] – Why high performers default to "figure it out" mode—even when it stops working Why Nothing You're Trying Is Actually Working [04:00] – More effort can actually move you further from your goal [05:15] – Blake's own story: hired a coach, moved further away from her goal [07:00] – Why external strategies can pull you further out of alignment The Hidden Reason You Can't See the Answer [08:30] – It's like trying to read the label from inside the bottle [09:45] – Why friends and family—with the best intentions—often reinforce the same patterns [11:00] – Clarity comes from seeing what's hidden, not from doing more Powerful Quotes "The real risk isn't making a change. The real risk is continuing to make changes that don't actually solve the problem." — Blake Schofield "You're not stuck because you're not capable. You're stuck because you can't see what's actually keeping you stuck." — Blake Schofield "We've been taught to look externally for answers. But the real answers are internal—we've just never been taught how to read them." — Blake Schofield Resources Mentioned Let's explore what's possible for your team: If your company is investing in burnout, wellness or adaptability initiatives, but seeing rising burnout, disengagement, or retention risk, it may be time to address the root cause. We identify & diagnose organizational risk - surfacing the key drivers of burnout, leadership capacity and adaptability strains impacting your team; reduce leadership attrition, disengagement and preventable turnover; equip your leaders with the skills to increase their productivity & lead effectively during pressure and uncertainty. Explore Workshops, Leadership Capacity Risk Assessments, Leadership Development or Consulting at https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/ [https://impactwithease.com/corporate-training-consulting/] Executive Coaching: For founders, executives, and senior leaders who are successful but feeling drained, stagnant, or uncertain about their next step. 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 [http://impactwithease.com/coaching] to apply! Discover what is driving your burnout: In just 5 minutes, learn your unique burnout type™ & how to restore your energy, fulfillment & peace at www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type [http://www.impactwithease.com/burnout-type]