#5 You're Not Broken. The System Is.
Why burnout is a feature of outdated systems, and how to rewrite the rules.
When you’ve been running on fumes for too long, it’s easy to believe the problem is you.
You’re too disorganised. Too slow. Not disciplined enough. Not “resilient” enough.
That’s the story most of us are told.
That’s the story we’ve been programmed to tell ourselves.
But here’s the truth: you’re not broken — the system is.
The Invisible Architecture of Overwork
We need to understand the socio-cultural context behind burnout.
The way most of us work was designed for an economy and culture that no longer exists
The 9–5 factory model.
Productivity measured in hours, not impact.
“Always on” as a badge of commitment.
Layer on top of that:
Digital platforms engineered for distraction.
A global economy rewarding speed over sustainability.
Leadership cultures that equate worth with constant output.
The system is not set up for you to thrive.
It’s set up for you to keep producing, to keep making, to keep scaling, no matter the cost.
Why This Hits Founders & Creatives Hardest
If you’re leading a startup, you’ve been told that scaling fast is survival.
If you’re running a mission-led business, you’ve been told that serving others means self-sacrifice.
Both mindsets erode your ability to work well over the long term.
And both are reinforced by a system that frames burnout as a personal failing, rather than the inevitable outcome of unsustainable expectations, cultures and protocols.
What Happens When You Think It’s You
When you believe the problem is you, you double down.
You work harder, sleep less, try more tools, hire more help, cut back on the things that make you human.
It’s a losing game, because the rules aren’t designed for you to win.
It’s Time to Change the Rules
Changing the system starts at the micro level. It’s about how you operate within it.
What does changing the rules mean when we start with you?
Protect your capacity like an asset (because it is).
Build an adaptable rhythm that honours both momentum and recovery.
Redefine “success” so it includes your wellbeing, not just your balance sheet.
Incidentally, season 14 of the Creating Cadence Podcast (which just launched) is all about “Rewriting the Rules of Work” focusing on three areas where we can make simple, effective changes. Check it out here, or on your fave pod platform
Rewrite the Rules
You don’t have to play by rules that were never meant for you.
You can challenge outdated approaches, discover smarter, healthier ways to thrive in a fast-paced world, and make a success of your business, without selling your soul.
It takes courage to go against the flow, but it can be done.
And the more of us who do it, the bigger the movement grows, which creates the groundswell for systems change.
Next week, in the final post of this introductory series, I’ll share what we’re building here, and how it can become a space for you to rewrite your own rules of work and life.
Why am I doing this?
Read about my new path on Substack, what happens after we burn bright, why productivity is not actually the problem, how we are indoctrinated by the myth of more, and how I found my rhythm after burnout.
(Note: We’ll settle into a fortnightly posting schedule from next week.)
I’d love it if you subscribed, to get these in the comfort of your inbox whenever they drop. Comments are open if you have thoughts or questions. :)
Want to work with me? Here’s how…
Private Advisory: 1 to 1 sessions. I work with a select group of entrepreneurs and founders to help them transform how they work (and build more flexible workflows for their business). Get in touch: hello@creatingcadence.co
Cadence Masterclasses: the next batch of online webinars are coming up in October 2025. Find out more here.
Cadence Catalyst: Join a carefully curated group of entrepreneurs and founders for an 8 week strategic mastermind. This is for high-achieving strivers seeking to create more space in their work life for sustainable success.
Register your interest for more info.
Thank you, Mich. You're providing a glimpse of sanity in a hurry-up world.