We are living in such a fast-paced world. I know for me and many of my clients, it is filled with constant notifications, digital distractions, and mounting expectations, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves. We rush through our days, ticking off tasks, juggling responsibilities, and reacting to demands. We survive, but we don’t always live. Somewhere along the way, we stop noticing what’s really going on inside us. This can happen in and out of work, remembering we are a whole person.

I believe a lack of making time to be self-aware is the obstacle that keeps us running on the treadmill and defaulting to a go, go, go energy.

This lack of self-awareness is more than just a personal issue; it’s a leadership challenge. When leaders operate on autopilot, disconnected from their own energy and purpose, it affects culture, engagement, and performance across the board.

Consider the boiling frog analogy. If you place a frog in cool water and slowly raise the temperature, it adapts. It tells itself, “This is fine. I can handle this.” But as the water gets hotter, the frog continues to adjust, ignoring the discomfort until it’s too late. The frog doesn’t die from the heat alone; it dies because it waited too long to act.

This mirrors how many professionals live. We tolerate stress, unhealthy dynamics, and unfulfilling routines, usually one small compromise at a time. We convince ourselves, “It’s not that bad. I can manage.” But over time, these compromises drain our energy, cloud our judgment, and weaken our ability to make meaningful change. By the time we realise the water is boiling, we’ve lost the strength to leap out.

“We weren’t designed to be endless engines of output; we were meant to be present, aware, and alive. The most powerful leaders are those who remember to be human beings, not just human doings.”

The data backs this up. One in two Australians report feeling burnt out at work in the past year. Globally, 55% of workers say they’ve experienced burnout, often linked to poor time management. Yet 82% admit they don’t use any system to manage their time or priorities. And while most people believe they’re self-aware, research shows only 10–15% are.

These numbers tell a clear story: we’re busy, reactive, and disconnected from ourselves. The heat is rising, and many of us don’t even realise it.

So how do we stop before the boil?

True awareness doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from pausing long enough to notice.

Attention inward is the key.

Leaders I see who practice self-awareness not only protect their own wellbeing but also model a healthier, more conscious way of working for their teams.

Here are a few ways to reconnect and reset.

Ask yourself powerful reflection questions:

Five years ago, is this how I imagined my life today?What situations or people consistently drain my energy?If this were to be my best year yet, what would that look like in my health, relationships, purpose, and peace?A few practical strategies:Make time for reflection: set aside 10 minutes daily or weekly to be still, journal, or think without distraction.Track your energy: notice what fills or empties your emotional tank.Set boundaries early: don’t wait until you’re exhausted to say no.Prioritise what truly matters: spend more time on what aligns with your values, not just your to-do list. Know your values and make decisions and choices that match these.Take micro-breaks: short pauses to breathe, move, or reset throughout the day.Reconnect with your purpose: ask yourself, “What lights me up?” and design your days around that.

The takeaway is simple but powerful: don’t wait until your life feels like boiling water.

When you start to feel the heat and experience stress, imbalance and fatigue, take the time to pause and act. Reassess, readjust, and remember you are not a machine built to do. You are a human being, built to feel, connect, and live consciously.

Protect your peace.

Guard your energy.

And never wait until it’s too late to leap out of the boiling water.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

Lead to be limitless.