Podcast Summary: "Not Burned Out, But Not Excited. Now What?" | The Amy Porterfield Show
Episode Information:
- Title: Not Burned Out, But Not Excited. Now What?
- Host: Amy Porterfield
- Release Date: June 10, 2025
Introduction: Navigating the Middle Ground (00:00 - 05:30)
In this episode, Amy Porterfield addresses a nuanced state of professional and personal dissatisfaction that lies between complete burnout and genuine excitement. She introduces the concept of feeling "not burned out, but not excited," a prevalent issue among entrepreneurs and online business owners.
Notable Quote:
"You're not fully burned out in this moment. You're not like exhausted every minute of the day... You're just somewhere in this weird middle ground. Can you relate?" (00:45)
Amy emphasizes that this intermediate state is dangerous as it quietly erodes dreams and creativity if not addressed promptly.
Understanding the Prevalence and Impact (05:30 - 12:00)
Amy references a Forbes study highlighting that 66% of surveyed individuals experienced job burnout in early 2025. She draws parallels between workplace burnout and the feelings of her entrepreneurial audience, noting similar patterns of detachment and lack of excitement.
Notable Quote:
"That's where dreams quietly die if we're not careful. So the good news is there's a way to fix this." (03:30)
Through her interactions in the Millie Club and Made to Scale Mastermind, Amy observes that many women entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed and disconnected, exacerbated by the unpredictable global environment.
The Role of Joy as a Business Strategy (12:00 - 22:30)
Transitioning from identifying the problem, Amy introduces joy as a strategic tool for business growth. Initially skeptical of the term "joy," she redefines it by equating it to happiness and feeling good—essential components of a thriving business environment.
Notable Quote:
"Joy can actually be a business strategy... inject joy into your business, and that fuels creativity and leadership and resilience." (17:45)
Amy outlines three primary areas where she cultivates joy within her business:
- Proximity to Her Team: Regular retreats and gatherings foster strong, joyful relationships.
- Connecting with Students: Live events and intimate interactions with her students reignite her passion.
- Working in Her Zone of Genius: Engaging in projects she deeply cares about, such as developing the Millie Method, brings sustained joy despite the challenges.
Practical Steps to Infuse Joy and Reignite Excitement (22:30 - 40:00)
Amy provides actionable steps for listeners to move from a state of obligation to one of excitement:
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Create a Joyful Mindset: Recognize and prioritize joy in both personal and professional aspects.
Exercise:
"Send me a DM. Just give me one thing that brings you joy... And then I want you to go do it." (18:30)
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Set Vision Without Pressure: Develop a clear, inspiring vision that motivates without the burden of excessive pressure.
Notable Journal Prompt:
"If I trusted that growth is inevitable, what would I create next?" (27:00)
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Conduct an Honest Audit of Current Work: Identify and categorize tasks into soul-sucking, sleepwalking, and spark-igniting activities.
Steps:
- Soul-Sucking Tasks: Delegate or eliminate these to reduce exhaustion.
- Sleepwalking Tasks: Make these more enjoyable or streamline them.
- Spark-Igniting Tasks: Increase focus on activities that excite and challenge you.
Notable Quote:
"Do more of the sparking joy, less of the soul-sucking." (35:15)
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Reignite Founder Energy: Engage in projects purely for the joy of creation, rekindling the original passion that fueled the business inception.
Notable Quote:
"Create something just for you... It’s not selfish. It’s you being really responsible." (38:20)
Addressing Resistance and Maintaining Momentum (40:00 - 50:00)
Amy discusses the inevitable presence of resistance when embarking on new, joyful endeavors. Drawing inspiration from Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, she explains that resistance is a sign of nearing meaningful growth and creativity.
Notable Quote:
"Feeling resistance doesn't mean the excitement is gone. It means you're getting close enough to feel the weight of what's possible." (44:50)
She advises embracing resistance as part of the growth journey, encouraging listeners to push through discomfort to access deeper levels of creativity and fulfillment.
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts (50:00 - End)
Amy concludes the episode with several critical insights:
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Fine is a Warning Sign, Not a Destination: The state of being "fine" without excitement is precarious and can lead to creativity drain.
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Joy is Not Optional: It should be integrated as a core business strategy to sustain long-term success.
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Vision Pulls You Forward, Pressure Holds You Back: A compelling vision creates natural momentum, whereas excessive pressure fosters resentment and hinders progress.
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Your Energy Flows Where Your Focus Goes: Conducting an honest audit of tasks ensures energy is directed towards meaningful, joyful activities.
Final Encouragement:
"If today's episode reminded you that your excitement is worth fighting for, I hope it did." (50:30)
Amy urges listeners to share their joyful projects with her, fostering a community of support and inspiration. She reiterates the importance of infusing joy into one's work and life to maintain momentum, creativity, and satisfaction.
Conclusion
In "Not Burned Out, But Not Excited. Now What?" Amy Porterfield provides a comprehensive roadmap for entrepreneurs feeling stuck between burnout and enthusiasm. By emphasizing the strategic role of joy, conducting honest self-audits, and reigniting foundational passion, she equips her audience with the tools to revitalize their businesses and personal lives. This episode serves as a crucial reminder that maintaining joy is not merely beneficial but essential for sustainable success and fulfillment.