Building a Pace You Can Live With

Life moves fast, and we can’t control every rush or slowdown. Deadlines, busy seasons, and unexpected curveballs will always pop up. But here’s the good news: you can build a sustainable rhythm that works for you most of the time.

Research shows that employees who feel in control of their workload are more engaged, more productive, and far less likely to burn out. According to a report from Gallup, about 76% of employees report feeling burned out at least sometimes, and roughly 28% say they feel burned out “very often” or “always.” (Gallup.com

When work feels manageable and predictable — when you have boundaries and breathing room — people show up with more energy and better clarity. On the flip side, constant pressure and lack of control are among the biggest drivers of workplace stress and burnout. (Gallup.com)

The benefits of building a healthy pace go beyond your calendar. According to the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs U.S. businesses more than $300 billion annually — not just in medical and legal costs, but in lost productivity, turnover, and absenteeism. (The American Institute of Stress)
That’s a stark reminder: stress and overwork don’t just hurt individuals — they drain teams and organizations too. But there’s a hopeful flip side. When you give yourself margin — time to rest, recover, and plan — your brain and body actually work better. More focus. More creative energy. More resilience. That’s not indulgent. That’s smart.

So how do you build a pace you can actually live with? It often comes down to boundaries and simple, consistent habits. That might mean:

• Blocking meeting-free focus hours a few times a week so you can get deep work done without interruptions
• Starting each day with a 15-minute planning ritual — mapping out the most important tasks and setting realistic priorities
• Setting a firm cut-off for email or work at night, so you’re not carrying work stress into rest
• Building in mini-breaks or “reset moments” — a walk, breathing pause, or stepping away from your desk

These boundaries act like shock absorbers. They give you the capacity to handle the unexpected without burning through your energy.

And when you protect your pace, you protect more than just your output. You protect your clarity. Your creativity. Your well-being. Your ability to show up fully — for your work, and for your life.

You can’t control every rush. You can’t eliminate stress or demands entirely. But you can shape your rhythm. Don’t fight the pace. Manage it. Protect it. Build a pace that helps you be your best — at work and beyond.