Former corporate high-flier Carli Phillips did. But it took a serious illness to raise the alarm.
In the first of two insightful stories, the wellbeing consultant and mother-of-two shares how she came to simplify her life in six easy steps.
"I had completely ignored all the symptoms and triggers of my stress, but at the end of 2015 I'd hit burnout," Carli said. "It was horrific, but it was also the best thing. We can get tempted by the power, the prestige and the money in the corporate world, always looking at your next target or promotion. But I wasn't enjoying the day-to-day work and wasn't being true to my purpose. It took my burnout to realise that."
Between weekly counselling sessions, Carli thought deeply about her life and began to rewrite it, as if she were planning her dream existence from scratch. "By the time I was well enough, I was ready to make it happen," she said. "I had two children, a massive mortgage and an unwell partner, but felt the only solution was to give it all up - to sell our house and business and move to the country."
The relocation to the NSW Southern Highlands was exciting at first but, not surprisingly, Carli carried more than her physical baggage. "I was tempted by the fresh start, but just ended up in a new place with the same old stuff," she said. "I needed to start working on and resolve that real stuff."
But how?
"I made a clear list of priorities for me and my family that were absolutely non-negotiable," Carli said. "These include my health and the health of my family, and having meaningful work. Everything else went on my Not To Do List.
"Making a list of the priorities and blocking out time every single day to stick to them is how small changes have made very big changes in my life."
And the outcome?
"I am a different person," Carli said. "I am calm and in control, very comfortable saying no to people and events, and still super productive. Now that I can focus on my wellbeing, that my energy levels are better and my stress levels are lower, I can produce a whole lot more in less time, which is a lovely outcome.
"Our family relationships have improved and I've realised that you don't have to give it all up - move house and change jobs - to achieve this. You can make a really big difference to your life by making small changes wherever you are."
We'll show you how in the next instalment.
Carli Phillips completed her Master of Business Administration with UNE in 2018 and now operates the Corporate Wellbeing Hub, which offers employee wellbeing programs and seminars, and community workshops.
