For years, Peggy Sullivan did everything right. She worked hard, traveled often, climbed the corporate ladder, and earned prestigious titles. Her resume included leadership roles in major companies, and on the surface, it all looked impressive. But underneath the fast-moving success was a woman running on empty.
“I was on autopilot,” Peggy shared. “Eat, work, sleep, repeat. Until one night, I came home exhausted, grabbed some stale pistachios, and passed out on the couch. My cat Dazzle started throwing up next to me, and I realized I had eaten pet food for dinner. That was the moment I knew something had to change.”
That change did not happen overnight. Within a year, Peggy’s marriage ended; she missed a career promotion, and she suffered a stress-related heart attack. These moments forced her to pause, reflect, and eventually redefine success, not just for herself, but for the thousands of people she would go on to help.
Today, Peggy is a global speaker, bestselling author, and performance optimization consultant. Her company, Peggy Sullivan Speaker, helps individuals and organizations stop glorifying busyness and start living with purpose. She works with Fortune 500 companies like Google, Bank of America, and Blue Cross BlueShield. Her book, Beyond Busyness: How to Achieve More by Doing Less, introduces a practical three-step framework that gives people a new way to approach productivity, self-care, and decision-making.
The Turning Point
Peggy’s journey into thought leadership started with one question: “Why are so many people stuck in the cycle of doing, but not truly living?”
After leaving corporate America to care for a sick relative, Peggy founded a nonprofit and began researching how people spend their time. The answers were clear. Most people said they never had time for what truly mattered. That realization led her to develop her now signature process: Performance by Design.
The process is built on three parts. First is subtraction—clearing away low-value tasks to create room for high-impact thinking and rest. Second is what she calls mojo making, which includes short happiness rituals that re-energize the body and mind. The final step is values vibing—choosing where to spend time and energy based on what matters most.
“You don’t have to quit your job or leave your career behind,” Peggy explained. “This is about being intentional. The framework helps you stay high-performing without losing yourself in the process.”
Micro Moments, Major Impact
Much of Peggy’s work revolves around the idea that transformation does not require massive changes. Small, intentional actions throughout the day can create powerful results. “People who follow the framework often reclaim five hours per week. That’s more than six workweeks a year,” she said.
She encourages clients to think in micro-moments. Take five minutes before work to breathe. Step outside for a short walk during lunch. End the day with a few thoughts of gratitude. These moments may seem simple, but they shift mindset, boost energy, and improve focus.
Peggy shared the story of a single mother and executive who had collapsed from exhaustion. “We didn’t overhaul her life. We just added five-minute breaks throughout her day. That was enough to help her get back on her feet, start sleeping again, and feel like herself.”
Values Over Time
One of the strongest parts of Peggy’s method is the idea of values-based decision making. Time management tools may promise results, but Peggy found that most people still don’t have time for what matters. That’s where values vibing comes in.
She identified four core values through a study of over 12,000 people: self-care, growth, human connection, and authenticity. These values became a filter to help people decide where to spend their energy.
“It’s about asking, does this align with what I care about? If it doesn’t, maybe it’s not worth doing,” she said. “You can be productive, successful, and still protect your time and well-being.”
The Mission Ahead
Peggy’s work continues to grow. She coaches individuals and speaks at major organizations, offering support tailored to both personal and professional goals. Her upcoming TEDx talk in Zimbabwe will focus on the shift from time management to values management. She is also writing her third book, which continues to explore these ideas with updated research and new stories.
“My joy now is helping women escape the hamster wheel. I lived it for too long, and I know how heavy it can feel. But you can step into your power. You can take back control.”
Peggy believes the real shift happens not through grand changes, but through small decisions made with care. And if you ask her what success looks like now, it’s not a title or a paycheck. It’s dark chocolate at 11 a.m., laughter during a three-minute break, and having enough energy left at the end of the day to enjoy what matters most.
For those ready to reclaim their time and rebuild their joy, Peggy is ready to help. You can find her book Beyond Busyness on Amazon, visit her website, or reach out directly to her on LinkedIn to connect.
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