Time to Ditch Your Superhero Cape: The Hidden Dangers of Overworking

I Can’t Stop Being Busy.

I’ve heard this from nearly everyone, working 40 hours or 60+. No matter how much you do, it never feels like enough.

You tell yourself you’re just ‘getting things done,’ but deep down, you know the cycle is endless, and always will be. If you don’t make changes, something will have to give, usually your energy or peace of mind

We all have habits that trap us: constantly putting out fires, clinging to control, or chasing perfection. But they’re only wearing you down.

Working non-stop isn’t a badge of honor. More effort doesn’t always mean better results. In fact, the harder you work, the more mistakes creep in, decisions worsen, and you risk resenting the work you once loved.

So why do we keep doing this?

• We tie our worth to productivity. If we’re not doing something, we feel guilty.

• We like being needed. The alternative? Feeling worthless and disposable.

• We don’t know another way. No one taught us how to work better, only harder

This list could go on, but let’s start by identifying the (over)worked persona you may have adopted

The 4 Working Archetypes (And How to Escape Them)

1. The Firefighter 🔥

You don’t have time to think, you’re too busy putting out fires. Your inbox is flooded with ‘urgent’ messages, your day hijacked by last-minute crises, and it feels like you’re the only one holding everything together.

Here’s the deeper truth: You’ve gotten so used to pulling people out of burning buildings that you’ve forgotten to check who’s lighting the matches. When was the last time you taught someone how not to start kitchen fires instead of rushing in with a hose?

How to break free: Set up better systems so you’re not the go-to fixer. Stop making everyone’s urgency your responsibility.

2. The Hero 🦸 

You save the day. Always. People rely on you because you come through. But let’s be real, you’re exhausted. A client of mine recently told me, "I am so tired of trying to be a superhero. I just want to be myself."

Here’s what’s really going on: You’re addicted to feeling indispensable. You thrive on the rush of being the one who can fix things. Even more, you fear that if you’re not absolutely essential, you might just become…replaceable. But in doing so, you’ve trained everyone around you to step back while you fix the impossible.

How to break free: Start letting others solve problems without you. Instead of rescuing, TEACH. Let people feel the weight of responsibility before it lands on your plate. Even Superman takes off the cape sometimes, why can’t you?

3. Atlas 🌍

You carry the weight of the world because, honestly, you don’t trust anyone else to do it right. That’s your call, your role… or your self-imposed punishment (take your pick).

If you don’t do it, who will? So you keep adding more, saying yes, and pushing through.

Here’s the deeper issue: You’re so focused on holding it all together that you don’t see the cracks forming. You’re not saving the world—you’re slowly collapsing under it.

How to break free: Accept that you need help. If you keep saying, ‘It’s easier if I just do it myself,’ you’ll never stop drowning. Start small: delegate one thing today, and don’t take it back."

4. Achilles 🏹

You won’t stop tweaking until it’s flawless. You refine, polish, and adjust; because what if it’s not perfect? You tell yourself that having high standards is your strength… but that’s becoming your weak spot."

Here’s the real problem: Your perfectionism isn’t about quality. It’s about fear. Fear of criticism, of failure, of not being good enough. The more you tweak, the more you delay, and the less you actually deliver things that matter.

How to break free: Define ‘good enough ’in advance, and stick to it. Set deadlines that force you to finish rather than endlessly polish. Ship before you feel 100% ready, because perfection is an illusion.

If you see yourself in one of these archetypes, it’s time for a change. The goal? Work better, reclaim your time, and stop being your own worst enemy.

Which one are you? More importantly, what’s one thing you’ll do differently this week?

Best,

Serena

PS: In March, I’m delivering my signature workshop, "From to-do list to tangible outcomes" designed to free up your time while achieving more and guilt-free. You can join the waitlist here and I’ll send you all the details in the coming days.