You Don’t Have to Give 100%: On Burnout & Being Enough with Terra Dunham

In this episode of Work is Third, Terra Dunham-dog mom, book and wine lover, lifelong learner, self-proclaimed struggling overachiever, and founder of one of our favorite local gems, Book + Bottle, shares what it really looks like to chase big dreams while learning to slow down and let go of perfection.

We talk about learning to do B+ work, building a team you can trust, the wisdom of a hot tub full of strangers, and how fiction can transport us in healing ways. If you've ever struggled to slow down or felt guilty for needing a break, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• The myth of giving 100%
• Overwork as identity and habit
• Delegating and trusting your team
• Meditation, presence, and mini-resets
• The power of fiction and creative rest

• Reframing "busy" and redefining success

Books Mentioned

We Should All Be Millionaires – Rachel Rodgers

Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes

Yes Man – Danny Wallace (mentioned via the Jim Carreymovie adaptation)

Be Ready When the Luck Happens – Ina Garten

Measure What Matters – John Doerr

How to Not Always Be Working – Marlee Grace

Over Work – Brigid Schulte

The Way of Integrity – Martha Beck

 

Keywords

gratitude, teamwork, entrepreneurship, business independence, work-life balance, decision fatigue, mental health, meditation, boundaries, integrity

 

📂 Section Markers

01:13 Section 1: Building a Business, Balancing a Life

26:30 Section 2: Making Tough Decisions for Your Future Self

 

📌Episode Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 Gratitude and Teamwork

01:55 The Birth of Book & Bottle

03:02 Navigating Business Independence

05:16 Balancing Work and Business Ownership

07:48 Decision Fatigue and Team Dynamics

09:20 Learning from Your Team

10:29 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives

12:17 Defining Work and Personal Fulfillment

14:04 The Pressure of Productivity

16:21 Mental Health and Self-Care

18:32 The Practice of Meditation

21:07 Finding Balance in Life

23:08 Measuring What Matters

24:29 Color-Coding Life

26:27 Seasons of Life and Change

29:08 Making Tough Decisions

31:12 Combining Socializing with Wellness

33:19 Creative Ways to Stay Active and Social

36:07 Recognizing Burnout and Taking Time Off

37:45 Defining Work: Purpose vs. Job

40:53 The Challenge of Overwork and Perfectionism

45:02 Finding Balance and Integrity in Busy Lives

50:11 Celebrating Relationships Beyond Accomplishments

53:08 Finding Joy in Presence and Connection

 

💬 Quotes to hold on to:

• "I used to think giving 100% was the goal. Now I know that letting go is sometimes the real win."
• "I'm not showing up as my best self anywhere—and that's okay for now. This is just the season I’m in."
• "Reading is my meditation—when I lose myself in a book, everything else falls away."
• "I'm proud of building something that can exist without me. That’s not just success—it’s sustainability." 

🔗 Important Links 

Website:  https://www.bookandbottlestpete.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book_and_bottle/

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