For many high achievers, the work that comes most naturally is often the work they undervalue. They discount the ease and this phenomenon, which I write about in The Rest Revolution as the paradox of ease, is a pattern in which individuals fail to recognize their innate gifts precisely because those gifts feel effortless.

This dynamic is closely intertwined with imposter syndrome: a well-documented psychological pattern where successful individuals doubt their skills, minimize accomplishments, and fear being exposed as a fraud. When combined with deeply ingrained social messaging around hard work, imposter syndrome can push high achievers to dismiss ease and pursue paths of unnecessary struggle.

Among women, people of color, immigrants, and members of historically excluded groups, the message that one must “work twice as hard to get half as much” has often been internalized as survival strategy. Passed down generationally, this mindset equates worthiness with hard work and relentless labor.

But when high achievers have been conditioned to view effort as the primary indicator of value, they may struggle to see the worth in what comes naturally. In coaching and consulting settings, many professionals recoil at accurately articulating their accomplishments, feeling that if something was easy, it couldn’t possibly be worth much.

This internalized belief can lead to overworking on autopilot—a form of professional muscle memory where pushing through exhaustion becomes default behavior, even in the face of trauma, loss, or health challenges.

Imposter syndrome amplifies the paradox of ease. Even in the face of repeated success, high achievers may doubt their competence. Rather than embrace their strengths, they may overwork to compensate for internalized feelings of inadequacy.

This often shows up in subtle ways: a reluctance to apply for promotions, a hesitance to speak up in high-stakes meetings, or discomfort in presenting a polished resume or LinkedIn profile. When one’s core talents are so familiar they feel mundane, it becomes difficult to communicate them with confidence.

In practice, this can lead professionals to over-deliver, overthink, and overprepare, and spend too much time and energy on tasks that should be straightforward. Not only does this limit upward mobility, it also contributes to chronic burnout and a disconnection from one’s authentic professional identity.

For high achievers who are ready to step out of overwork and into alignment, here are three practical steps to begin valuing what comes naturally—and to build a career that reflects that value:

1. Identify Your “Effortless Excellence” Zone

Start by asking yourself: What do people consistently thank me for? What do others struggle with that I find relatively easy? These questions can reveal your “effortless excellence”—skills that are intuitive to you but transformative for others. Resist the urge to downplay them just because they don’t feel hard. Ease is often a sign of mastery.

2. Translate Ease into Language of Impact

Once you’ve named your natural strengths, practice articulating them in terms of the results they produce. For example, instead of saying, “I’m good at organizing,” you might say, “I help fast-moving teams streamline processes and increase efficiency.” Language matters. Frame your ease as a strength that creates measurable outcomes. This is the foundation of a magnetic personal brand.

3. Align Your Visibility with Your Zone of Genius

Use your professional platforms like your LinkedIn, bios, and speaking engagements, to reinforce your brand around what you do best. Showcase case studies, share insights, or highlight client wins that stem from your zone of genius. The more you speak from this place of alignment, the more you attract opportunities that don’t require you to contort or overextend yourself.

Careers built on the belief that only hard work counts often come at the price of burnout, under-compensation, and a persistent sense of never being enough. But when high achievers learn to value what comes easily, they unlock their next level.

Success does not need to be synonymous with struggle. Professionals who make this shift not only reclaim their time and energy, they also position themselves for the opportunities and recognition their talents truly deserve.