The hidden cost of being “always on”

You know it well.

That familiar ping of another notification.

The endless stream of messages.

The quiet pressure to respond… right now.

Being “always on” has slowly become the default - not because it works, but because it’s expected.

And while it looks productive on the outside, the cost shows up elsewhere:

Less focus

Shorter patience

Low-level exhaustion that never fully goes away.

Here’s what I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way):

Real success isn’t about staying plugged in all the time.

It’s about knowing when to unplug - on purpose - so your energy doesn’t quietly leak away.

✨ I N S P I R E

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." - Anne Lamott

✨ T H R I V E

7 Shifts to Restore Your Energy (without doing less):

1️⃣ Start with Stillness (my favorite!)

↳ First 5 minutes of the day, no phone

↳ Three deep breaths + name one non-negotiable for the day

2️⃣ Create Untouchable Time

↳ 90 minutes a day on Do Not Disturb

↳ Phone in another room (friction matters)

3️⃣ Master the Energy Stack

↳ Deep work earlier in the day when your brain is sharp

↳ Save email and admin for your natural afternoon dip

4️⃣ Practice Micro Resets

↳ One minute of slow breathing between tasks

↳ Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds

5️⃣ Design Power Blocks

↳ Work in 45-minute sprints

↳ Take a real break - stand up, walk, stretch

6️⃣ Set a Digital Sunset

↳ No devices after 8 pm

↳ Replace scrolling with one calming ritual

7️⃣ Use Transition Rituals

↳ 5-minute decompression between meetings

↳ Three slow breaths: in through the nose, out through the mouth 

Success isn't measured by how long you stay plugged in.

It's measured by how well you recharge✨

Have a beautiful week,

Carolyn

✨ R E S O U R C E S

This One Minute Practice Is a Game Changer: A tiny reset that fits into even the busiest days.

How a Broken Toe Made Me Stop and Listen: A personal reflection on slowing down when you don’t want to.

This Is Why Slowing Down Feels So Hard: Why rest can feel uncomfortable - and how to work with that instead of against it.

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TODAY! 3 Essential Shifts for High Performers

I’ll walk you through the 3 essential shifts that help people stay effective without staying mentally “on” all the time.

🗓️ Thursday, February 12th 

🕑2:00 PM EST

📍Live on Zoom

We’ll talk about:

• Why effort and effectiveness slowly drift apart

• How to protect clarity without stepping back from your goals

• What actually helps work feel lighter again

  
  

A replay will be sent to everyone who registers.

Hope to see you there.

👉 Save your spot HERE