24. If Work Feels Hard, It’s Probably Not Because of You

Why does work feel hard, even when you’re capable and committed? Often, it’s not burnout, poor focus, or lack of motivation.It’s the way work is set up and passed between people. In this episode of Unlearning Work, Erin Merideth breaks down why work becomes exhausting when expectations are unclear, decisions never quite land, and everything feels urgent. When work has no clear shape or stopping point, people don’t disengage—they start guessing, overcompensating, and carrying work home in their heads. This conversation helps listeners understand: Why work stress often comes from unclear handoffs—not personal failure How vague requests and shifting priorities quietly drain energy Why urgency spreads when nothing is clearly protected How “protective habits” form at work—and why they’re not character flaws What actually makes work feel lighter, without changing personalities or working harder This episode is especially helpful for professionals and leaders who feel busy but unsatisfied, struggle to shut work off at the end of the day, or sense that work shouldn’t feel this heavy—but can’t quite explain why. If work feels exhausting, confusing, or hard to finish cleanly, this episode will help you see what’s really going on—and where relief can start.     📲 Subscribe & Stay Connected 📥 Download the Unlearning Work App for exclusive tools and behavior design resources🎧 Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform⭐ Leave a review if this episode resonated—it helps others discover the work📬 Join the Work Reimagined Newsletter for behind-the-scenes insights and free behavior frameworks📱 Follow Erin Merideth on Instagram, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Facebook for weekly leadership and behavioral science insights