Six years ago, I was promoted to a very high-pressure position. I was tasked with doubling revenue, streamlining company processes, and migrating thousands of clients to a new platform — all while improving client satisfaction and increasing employee engagement for the 15 teams I was leading across three countries. After working hard and achieving my goals, I was proud that I was able to say “Mission accomplished,” but it came at a very high cost. I ended up wearing a heart monitor for a week so my cardiologist could figure out why I was having over 100 palpitations a day. I also gained 30 pounds, my hormones were out of whack, and I had to start taking an SSRI for anxiety. What a mess.

My wake-up call came after I had an emotional breakdown at work in response to a meeting with my leader who, looking back, said something relatively insignificant, though it was insensitive and unsupportive. In the moment, it felt like the end of the world — or at a minimum, my career. After the meeting, I locked myself in my office and could not stop crying. That evening, I made two decisions. First, I was going to get a hold of my health and take my life back. And second, I was going to find another job. 

I started small — with 5-minute meditations on the Calm app. (Had I known about Thrive back then, no doubt I would have used it!) Overtime, I was able to take on small habits that made a difference, and within six months, I had improved my health and found a new job. 

I’ll always be on a journey to improve my health and well-being, and I keep the lessons from that experience with me today. And whenever I feel like I’m getting overwhelmed, two of my personal Resets are pictured below. Nothing has given me more perspective on the significance, or insignificance, of things in life than the gift of my grandchildren. 

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