• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026

1

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Commentarymental health

Burnout and anxiety are on the rise. A simple mindset shift could be the remedy

By
Jean Gomes
Jean Gomes
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jean Gomes
Jean Gomes
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 16, 2023, 6:20 AM ET
A woman in a New York City subway station heads home after work
The notion that we must sacrifice our well-being to achieve success has become dominant.Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

In a world marked by relentless change and ambiguity, adaptability is key. However, there is a prevailing mindset that acts as a barrier to healthy adaptation. The outlook driven by this mindset not only leads to burnout but also obstructs our ability to question the very assumptions that underpin our pursuit of success and high performance in a rapidly evolving landscape. It can be best described as the sacrifice mindset.

While traditional notions of mindset often revolve around behaviors and beliefs, recent scientific insights reveal that our mindset shapes our perception of the world through emotions, thoughts, and perspectives—the interplay of how we feel, think, and see. By strengthening these pillars, we equip ourselves to respond more effectively to change.

Unshackling yourself from the sacrifice mindset

Recent years have seen a surge in individuals striving to adopt healthier habits, only to find themselves trapped by the relentless pressures of work and high demand. Burnout is on the rise, impacting anywhere from 25% to 80% of employees across various sectors. This common conundrum is ultimately leading to exhaustion and resentment, eroding our motivation and capacity to adapt.

The notion of going all-in to achieve success has become deeply ingrained, transcending generational boundaries. The sacrifice mindset necessitates sacrificing personal needs for financial gain, status, and power. However, this sacrifice often takes a heavy toll on families and well-being and contributes to broader societal challenges.

Neglecting our emotional needs further exacerbates the issue, leaving us feeling depleted and disconnected. As our rapidly changing world continues to demand more from us, the limitations of this mindset become increasingly apparent, rendering it ineffective in the face of uncertainty.

Embracing the sufficiency mindset

The sufficiency mindset revolves around acknowledging and prioritizing our core needs (physical, emotional, mental, social, and purpose-driven), as well as our sense of volition (having control over these things). Suppressing these vital needs under the sacrifice mindset blinds us to our true potential.

By redirecting focus from sacrificing to fulfilling these fundamental needs, we tap into peak performance. Cultivating physical well-being, emotional security, social connections, and a sense of purpose paves the way for resilience and control, even in times of disruption.

Moving away from rigid plans toward greater adaptability facilitates better decision-making, whilst recognizing emotional triggers and recalibrating commitments enables a greater sense of control.

The transition from a sacrifice to a sufficiency mindset entails aligning with our core needs, fostering resilience, and empowering ourselves and others. As the world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, adopting this new perspective offers a way to navigate the unknown, embrace change, and ultimately thrive through uncertainty. Acknowledging and prioritizing our intrinsic needs gives us the ingredients to unlock the potential for true success—one that encompasses personal fulfillment, well-being, and meaningful relationships.

Shifting from a sacrificial approach to a sufficiency mindset equips us to navigate uncertainty with poise and confidence. It empowers us to make decisions rooted in empathy and fairness, fostering a holistic view of success that brings together both our personal and professional worlds.

By nurturing physical, emotional, social, and mental well-being, we can prepare ourselves to face challenges head-on. This approach not only enhances our capacity to adapt but also develops in us a sense of control and purpose that guides our actions.

As the world continues to evolve, embracing a sufficiency mindset becomes a powerful tool for leaders and individuals. It enables us to transcend the limitations of the past and reimagine success in a way that aligns with our unique values and aspirations. In doing so, we pave the way for a future marked by resilience, growth, and a deeper sense of fulfillment. The sufficiency mindset is not just a response to uncertainty—it’s a pathway to a higher level of performance in an ever-changing world.

Jean Gomes is the CEO of Outside, a consultant, researcher, and a New York Times bestselling author. His research book, Leading in a Non-Linear World, explores the latest science of mindset and how to build and apply it to solving our greatest challenges.

More must-read commentary published by Fortune:

  • Return-to-office mandates: Why tax breaks are not a reason for companies in states such as Texas, Utah, and New Jersey to force employees back
  • We analyzed 2 years of performance reviews for 13,000 workers. Here’s the proof that low-quality feedback is driving employee retention down
  • Burnout is attacking our brains and making it harder to excel at work. ‘Deliberate calm’ can help us adapt
  • The growing case for doing less: How harmless cancers are being overdiagnosed in America

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

About the Author
By Jean Gomes
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

rn
CommentaryCryptocurrency
Former Iran director at NSC: Crypto legislation is a ticket to sanctions evasion
By Richard NephewJuly 2, 2026
7 hours ago
m
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
McKinsey chairs: Building a more resilient industrial base may require $2 trillion in investment
By Eric Kutcher and Shubham SinghalJuly 2, 2026
7 hours ago
em
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
America’s 250th birthday has Elon Musk and a record IPO. Its 15th had Alexander Hamilton — and a stock market bubble
By Owen LamontJuly 2, 2026
11 hours ago
paramount
CommentaryAntitrust
How Paramount’s theater commitments could boost local economies across the nation
By Ike BrannonJuly 2, 2026
11 hours ago
elon
CommentaryChina
China has 400 private space companies. The West is barely paying attention
By Rainer ZitelmannJuly 2, 2026
13 hours ago
senate
CommentaryCongress
One rare bipartisan AI bill is moving through Congress. Here’s why it deserves to pass
By Neil Björkman and Betsy BrewerJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
Big Tech
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
2 days ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
8 days ago
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of July 1, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
Trump got a $78K pension from the Screen Actors Guild in 2025 because he appeared in Home Alone 2 in 1992
Politics
Trump got a $78K pension from the Screen Actors Guild in 2025 because he appeared in Home Alone 2 in 1992
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago
Today, Emily Blunt is worth $80 million thanks to her Hollywood career—but she actually wanted to be a UN Spanish translator on $80K
Success
Today, Emily Blunt is worth $80 million thanks to her Hollywood career—but she actually wanted to be a UN Spanish translator on $80K
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 2, 2026
15 hours ago
CEO of $248 billion cybersecurity company says workers are about to face a ‘Darwinian moment’ thanks to AI: Evolve or get cut
Success
CEO of $248 billion cybersecurity company says workers are about to face a ‘Darwinian moment’ thanks to AI: Evolve or get cut
By Emma BurleighJuly 1, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.