When High Achievers Can’t Control the Outcome with Morgan McNabb

What happens when you work hard, prepare well, and still don’t get the outcome you wanted? For high achievers, disappointing results can quickly become personal. Instead of asking, “What can I learn from this?” we start wondering, “What does this say about me?” In this episode of Thinking That Matters, I sit down with criminal defense attorney Morgan McNabb to talk about imposter syndrome, professional identity, pressure, comparison, and learning to separate your worth from outcomes you cannot fully control. Morgan shares how law school challenged her confidence, why being surrounded by highly accomplished people made comparison tempting, and how courtroom experience taught her to focus less on what others think and more on what she can actually learn and improve. Together, we discuss: How imposter syndrome can make capable people question whether they belong Why comparison becomes dangerous in high-pressure environments Turning difficult experiences into opportunities for growth The difference between responsibility and trying to control every outcome Why your career should never become your entire identity How overachievers can learn to ask for help Separating what happened from what you believe it says about you One important reminder from this conversation: you can take responsibility for your growth without making every result a judgment about your worth. A question to consider: When something doesn’t go the way you hoped, do you treat the outcome as information or as evidence about who you are? If this conversation gives you something worth reconsidering, follow Thinking That Matters and continue cultivating thinking that matters. ____ About Morgan: Morgan McNabb is a West Texas native and criminal defense attorney. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas Tech University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Forensic Science before earning her law degree from Texas Tech in 2020. Since graduation, Morgan has practiced exclusively in criminal defense, representing clients in state-level cases ranging from Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felony offenses. Connect with Morgan: https://www.texasdefensefirm.com/about-us/our-attorneys/morgan-mcnabb/ ________ 💡 Join the Women Growth Group for live, in-person training that empowers your potential and connects you with a vibrant community of growth-minded women! https://linktr.ee/gowithelizabeth Stay connected with Elizabeth on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbmahusay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmahusay/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElizabethMahusay Website: https://elizabethmahusay.com/ ______ Ready to shift the way you think and lead?Pick Your Path by Elizabeth Mahusay is now available! Start learning how to break limiting thought patterns, strengthen your mindset, and step into more intentional leadership.👉 Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Your-Path-Leadership-Course-ebook/dp/B0H24Q8DYX? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.