Hey,
In a particularly difficult leadership season, I had two panic attacks within just a few weeks, and I knew I was in trouble. Desperate for a quick fix, I asked my mentor what I could do to ease the anxiety. She looked me straight in the eye and said,
“YOU’VE GOT A POPEYE ARM.”
I tilted my head in confusion. What did my ‘perfectly’ proportionate biceps have to do with panic attacks?!
She continued with blunt compassion:
“April, you get more done by lunch than most people can accomplish in two days. You can achieve anything you set your mind to. That’s your Popeye Arm. But your other arm—rest and recovery—is much weaker. You’re headed toward burnout. If you don’t develop your renewal muscle, you’re in danger.”
There was no quick fix, but she was right. Up to that moment, I believed leadership was all about vision, strategy, teamwork, and goal achievement.
But that conversation shifted the trajectory of my life and leadership. I’ve been training differently ever since.
Read more HERE about what I’ve learned about our relationship between stress, energy, and recovery. You’ll discover how the overlap of stress and energy impacts your daily life—and how to lower stress while boosting your energy.
If you’re curious about your own Popeye arm, take our FREE Renewal Mini-Assessment now. It may save your life this summer!
