Scenario
Emily, a 38-year-old General Counsel, reached out for coaching after experiencing signs of severe burnout. Despite being a high achiever, her energy was depleted, and her enthusiasm for work had vanished. Her team noticed she was frequently irritable, disengaged in meetings, and struggling to meet deadlines—uncharacteristic behaviors for someone who had once been the epitome of composure and focus.
Emily described feeling overwhelmed by competing demands at work and home. She worked 60+ hours per week while juggling her role as a mother of two young children. Her physical health had deteriorated due to sleepless nights, skipped meals, and a lack of exercise. Although she loved her career, she feared she was losing her edge and doubted her ability to continue leading effectively.
Strategy
Step 1:
Awareness and Assessment
Step 2: Reset Priorities
Step 3: Rebuild Energy
Step 4: Strengthen Leadership Presence
The first step was creating space for Emily to reflect on her situation. Through guided conversations and a structured burnout assessment, we uncovered key contributors to her stress: unclear boundaries, perfectionism, and a tendency to overextend herself to meet others' expectations. We also identified that her physical and emotional energy reserves were at critically low levels.
We worked together to redefine Emily’s values and priorities. Through a "Life Audit" exercise, she gained clarity on what mattered most in her career and personal life. Emily realized she needed to let go of certain tasks that didn’t align with her long-term goals. She committed to delegating more effectively, saying “no” to unnecessary meetings, and prioritizing high-impact activities.
Burnout recovery required addressing her physical and mental health. Emily implemented small, sustainable habits, starting with a morning mindfulness routine and daily 20-minute walks. I introduced her to energy-management techniques, including the "90-Minute Work Cycle," to balance periods of intense focus with restorative breaks. We also explored tools for reframing negative thoughts that fueled her perfectionism.
Burnout recovery required addressing her physical and mental health. Emily implemented small, sustainable habits, starting with a morning mindfulness routine and daily 20-minute walks. I introduced her to energy-management techniques, including the "90-Minute Work Cycle," to balance periods of intense focus with restorative breaks. We also explored tools for reframing negative thoughts that fueled her perfectionism.
Results
Over the course of six months,
Emily transformed both personally and professionally:
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Increased Energy: By following her new self-care routine, Emily reported feeling more energized and present at work and home. She went from sleeping an average of four hours a night to seven hours, drastically improving her mood and cognitive performance.
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Improved Leadership: Her team noticed the shift in her demeanor. By modeling healthier boundaries and transparency, Emily cultivated a culture of psychological safety, where team members felt empowered to discuss challenges and suggest solutions.
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Sustainable Success: Emily achieved measurable improvements in her performance reviews, with her CEO noting her ability to delegate effectively and focus on strategic priorities.
Through our work together, Emily didn’t just overcome burnout—she emerged as a more resilient and impactful leader, equipped with tools to sustain her growth for years to come.