Are You Actually at Max Capacity—Or Does It Just Feel That Way?
We’ve all had those moments where we hit a wall.
You’re staring at your calendar, your inbox is full, your brain feels like scrambled eggs, and you think:
“This is too much. I can’t take on one more thing.”
A coaching client recently asked me a version of that very question: “How do I know when I’ve hit my limit? Maybe this is too much at once…”
It’s such a human moment. But my response to her was a bit unexpected.
A Radical Reframe: You Have Infinite Capacity
The exhaustion, the overwhelm—it’s often not about what’s on your plate. It’s about the story you’re telling yourself about what’s on your plate.
Let that sink in for a second.
What if what you’re experiencing as 9/10 effort is actually just 2/10 of your true potential? What if the feeling of being “maxed out” isn’t proof you’ve hit your limit—but a sign you’re stretching into something new?
Sometimes, the path to 10/10 isn’t about doing more or pushing harder. It’s about being fully with what is—understanding it, shifting how you relate to it, and letting go of the belief that your worth is tied to your output.
When you step into something bigger—a new role, a bold decision, a life that aligns with your values—it’s common to feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you.
You don’t yet have the skills, the perspective, or the muscle memory. So of course it feels uncertain. Of course it feels like too much.
But that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing.
Watch the Coaching Clip
In this video, I share a short message I originally recorded for a client—now shared more widely because I think so many of us need to hear it.
🎥 Watch the clip below to explore:
How to recognize the subconscious stories keeping you stuck
Journaling prompts to help shift your mindset and reclaim your energy
Why discomfort and “max capacity” might actually be signals of growth, not limits
Reflection Prompts to Help You Reclaim Your Energy
If you’re in a season of overwhelm or stretching into new territory, here are some prompts from the session that you can explore:
How do I know I’m at my limit? What are the thoughts, feelings, or actions that serve as “evidence”?
What story am I telling myself about my current capacity?
What did I expect this season would feel like—and are those expectations still helpful?
What do I want to feel, have, or become?
Can I connect to a vision or a future version of myself that makes the discomfort worthwhile?
Is my body asking for support right now?
Who do I have in my life modeling a new, more spacious way of being?
Final Thoughts
We don’t build capacity by staying in our comfort zones.
We build it by taking intentional, courageous steps into the unknown—and learning how to care for ourselves along the way.
So the next time you feel like you’ve hit a limit, ask yourself:
Is this a sign I’m done—or a sign I’m just beginning something new?
If you want more coaching moments like this, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel or reach out to work together.
