I have decided to share some thoughts on my readings of seminal burnout literature. Part two of this series reviews Peak Performance: Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness.
Peak Performance is ultimately about finding balance while pursuing high achievement and avoiding burnout. Stulberg and Magness draw on diverse academic fields—including neuroscience, exercise physiology, psychology, and behavioral economics—to argue that peak performance depends on the cyclical interplay between periods of intense focus (or deliberate stress) and rejuvenating recovery breaks. According to the authors, this cycle not only fosters adaptation and creativity but also prevents the chronic stress that often precipitates burnout.
The book outlines specific techniques for managing work intensity and integrating rest to promote long-term progress. These include: periodization of efforts, which is about structuring work in cycles that balance periods of challenge with intervals of recovery; mindfulness and reflection, or the application of practices such as meditation, journaling, and mindful breaks to develop an awareness of one’s physical and mental limits; and working with purpose-driven goals, which comes down to cultivating a clear and motivating sense of purpose that drives performance and builds resilience against burnout.
While I generally agree with these techniques—and I see similar themes emerging in my work on positive psychology and burnout—I also recognize that individual variability plays a crucial role in contributing to burnout. Differences in personality traits, lifestyle factors, and external pressures must be considered. Ultimately, I appreciate the argument that a balance between striving and integration is more predictive of success than an unyielding ethos of relentless hustle. Slow and steady, indeed, wins the race!