Being “Superwoman” is burning you out - The Hidden Costs of Superwoman Syndrome: Understanding Its Impact and 5 Ways to Break Free
Being 'Superwoman' is burning you out:
Superwoman Syndrome refers to women feeling the pressure to 'do it all' perfectly, juggling multiple roles & responsibilities, in her career, family, household, social etc., often neglecting self care & her own well-being. It is a psychological condition Marjorie Shaevitz coined in her book: The Superwoman Syndrome: Sensing the Tension Between Family, Career, and Self
81% of Women feel being busy is glorified
Female leaders are well versed in the delicate balance between work, family & social expectations. This creates a cycle of juggling an overwhelming amount of information to organize & track and a feeling that “busy” is rewarded.
This constant juggling of priorities leads to cognitive overload.
Feeling a lack of recognition
They often feel they aren't recognized for their efforts at home & at work. The lack of recognition for their efforts, even when they meet or exceed expectations, also contributes to emotional fatigue & cognitive overload.
Cognitive overload: The mental equivalent of being physically overworked.
Cognitive overload is a particularly critical factor that contributes to burnout, especially for female leaders juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. It occurs when the brain's capacity to process information and manage tasks exceeds its limits.
1 in 3 senior level women are seeking to quit or offload major responsibilities
In a 2021 McKinsey & Co report, 50% of senior-level women say they are burned out at work & 1 in 3 are seeking to quit or offload major responsibilities.
With such a high percent of female leaders feeling stretched thin, they are reluctant to share vulnerabilities or ask for help, because they may feel they always have to have it together. They may avoid confiding in others, which can isolate them even more.
81% of working moms face burnout
A 2024 Gallup Poll found that 81% of working moms face burnout while ‘managing it all’.
In the 2024 Motherly report 66% of moms say they're the parent expected to address childcare crises.
Women, particularly mothers, were experiencing higher rates of burnout, which can be a consequence of trying to live up to the Superwoman ideal.
Self-neglect leads to burnout
Women with Superwoman Syndrome often prioritize everything and everyone else before themselves. This means that self-care and personal needs are often put on the back burner. Whether it's skipping lunch breaks, sacrificing sleep, or not taking time off, self-neglect is a common pattern.
The 2019 Harris poll stated 77% of women prioritize their family's needs over their own AND 60% said they never have enough time for themselves
Women in leadership roles are more likely to neglect their well-being and personal time, which is one of the leading causes of burnout in high-pressure jobs.
What can you do? 5 ways to break free:
- BOUNDARIES: Set & enforce them. Communicate clear expectations
- PRIORITIES: Make sure your priorities align with what YOU WANT & plug your time leaks
- MENTORS: Find/engage mentors who have been through it before & can guide you through the process
- ENERGETICS: Maximize your day based on your energy type. Figure out what energizes you and schedule time for it
- ASK FOR SUPPORT: Determine what is ACTUALLY important and clearly express what you need and how you need to be supported
If you need help how to do this, we help exhausted female leaders reclaim energy & clarity BEFORE burnout forces her to choose between leadership & well-being.
Sign up for your FREE 60 minute Life & Leadership Reboot consultation.
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Lynn & Katie,
Believe Blueprint LLC (c) All rights reserved
2019 Harris Poll “American Women Confronting Burnout At Epidemic Levels”
2021 McKinsey & Co “Stepping up, but risking burnout: Women leaders in the public and social sectors in 2021”
2024 Gallup Poll “More Than a Program: A Culture of Women's Wellbeing at Work”
