You’re not the only one asking that question. I often hear it from senior leaders who’ve done everything “right” and still feel strangely empty by Sunday night. You’re not ungrateful for wanting more, you’re human. You know that, deep down.

But it’s tricky, because burnout and misalignment can look similar on the surface. Low energy. Dread before the week starts. The sense that motivation has slipped. I’ve been there myself. Working hard, hitting the milestones, while wondering why the win didn’t feel like a win.

Let me just say it plainly. Misalignment is expensive. It costs presence at home, creative spark at work, and the version of you the people you love actually get to experience. Sometimes you’ve simply outgrown the path you are on. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It just means that path no longer fits who you are now.

Strategic clarity starts with honest signals.

If rest reliably resets you, you’re likely burned out. If rest only gives temporary relief and the hollowness returns, you’re likely misaligned.

To pressure-test that, try four simple checks (no spreadsheets needed):

• Meaning: When you zoom out, does this work still feel meaningful to you?

• Motivation: Outside the current grind, does the work itself energize you?

• Enjoyment: Do you mostly enjoy the core tasks (not every one, but the majority)?

• Environment: Do you feel psychologically safe and proud of the culture you’re in?

If your honest answer is “yes” to most of these, you may just need a vacation and better boundaries. If you’re answering “no” (or “I’m not sure”), the issue likely isn’t stamina, it’s fit.

And fit doesn’t fix itself with a long weekend. You can push through another quarter, but the bill always comes due.

If you’re wrestling with this question, I'd encourage you to take a week, sit with those four questions in your journal, and see what patterns you notice.

There’s a good chance what you’re feeling isn’t failure. It’s your future asking better questions.