Over the years, we have met a remarkable group of high achievers—individuals who are deeply knowledgeable, constantly pushing boundaries, and making a significant impact in fields like medical innovation, sustainability, and beyond. Their drive and ambition are truly inspiring, and we’ve seen firsthand how they excel at what they do.
The Struggle to Switch Off
But we also realised a lot of them, including some of us, often struggle to switch off. Their minds are always in overdrive, constantly running through different scenarios, problem-solving, and thinking critically—even when they’re supposed to be relaxing. While this drive to think ahead and tackle challenges can certainly be an asset, it can also come with its own set of challenges.
High-Functioning Anxiety
One of these challenges is high-functioning anxiety—a term that, though not widely discussed, affects many highly out performing individuals. High-functioning anxiety refers to those who experience the symptoms of anxiety but continue to perform at a high level in their careers and lives. Despite feeling overwhelmed inside, they manage to maintain their outward success. This constant push to excel can lead to persistent feelings of stress—traits that may be less visible but no less impactful.
An article by Laura Campbell titled “Why High-Functioning Anxiety Makes the Best Entrepreneurs” offers a powerful perspective on how this anxiety can manifest in successful individuals, particularly entrepreneurs. According to Campbell, high-functioning anxiety can actually fuel success in some cases, as it drives individuals to be meticulous, organized, and focused. However, it also has its downside—especially when the anxiety becomes chronic.
The Physical Impact of High-Functioning Anxiety
It’s important to note that high-functioning anxiety often comes with physical symptoms such as headaches, racing heart rates, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances—issues that might seem small in the moment but can accumulate over time. This internal discomfort can be hard to reconcile with the outward appearance of success.
Additionally, the Mayo Clinic Health System sheds light on the broader impact of anxiety and how people with high-functioning anxiety often internalise their struggles. The Mayo Clinic identifies common traits in people with high-functioning anxiety, such as a fear of criticism and a tendency to push themselves beyond reasonable limits.
Turning Challenges into Strengths
We met with Grady Marin, an inspiring leader, CEO and chairman and president of a medical record service company in the US, at Harvard Business School’s Executive MBA programme. Grady’s journey as a high achiever has been both impressive and eye-opening, as he constantly pushes himself to learn more despite his remarkable achievements. As he puts it, “High achievement often comes from momentum and drive, but if the brain doesn’t power down, it can lead to burnout, psychological breaks, and long-term mental health struggles.” His insights reinforce the importance of creating balance to sustain long-term success.
Rather than seeing these traits as obstacles, it may be important to recognise that they can be strengths when managed effectively. The challenge lies in finding ways to minimise the downside of stress and help high achievers continue to perform at their best, without compromising their wellbeing.
We aim to explore tools and support that may help individuals manage stress and anxiety more effectively. By prioritising wellbeing alongside high performance, we could support individuals maintain long-term success, not just in their careers, but in every aspect of life. 🙂
With lots of love,
Team LYEONS
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