Coaching Through Burnout – A New Approach

As coaches, we often find ourselves helping clients navigate a world that demands more—more productivity, more performance, more results.

But when Burnout comes into play, these traditional coaching approaches can unintentionally increase and aggravate the problem.

Burnout isn’t about doing more. It’s about finding a new way to move forward—a way that honours wellbeing, balance, sustainability, and perhaps most importantly, a sense of self.

Burnout is not a badge of honour to be worn proudly or an inevitable byproduct of success.

It’s a warning sign, a red flag that something is deeply misaligned in our clients’ lives. And as coaches, it’s our responsibility to guide them toward alignment—not by pushing harder but by coaching differently.

Shifting the Paradigm

When coaching through Burnout, the first shift we must make is away from productivity-focused goals. Instead, we explore who our clients are by rebuilding their sense of self, helping our clients to identify how they can reduce the stressors in their lives, how to set and enforce boundaries (non-negotiables), and address their unmet needs.

Who Are You?

A magical and powerful question to help your clients begin to build and develop their sense of self.  Who are they at their core? What are their values? Strengths? Beliefs? Obstacles? Passions? Drivers? What makes them tick? What gets them out of bed in the morning? What do they love? Why do they do what they do? These and more can help them to get back to themselves before the world told them who they could be and stress and Burnout crept into their lives.

Reducing Stressors

The world is full of external pressures, but not all stressors are necessary. As coaches, we can help clients identify the non-essential demands they’ve taken on—whether it’s overcommitting at work, saying yes when they want to say no, or carrying emotional burdens that aren’t theirs to bear. Together, we untangle these stressors and create space for what truly matters.

Setting and Enforcing Boundaries

Boundaries are a cornerstone of Burnout recovery. Yet, for many clients, setting boundaries feels uncomfortable, even impossible. This is where coaching comes alive. By exploring their fears around saying no and helping them reframe boundary-setting as an act of self-respect, we empower them to protect their energy and focus.

It's also important to remember that boundaries are often bent, stretched and moved - reframing boundaries as non-negotiables provides a place of strength and certainty.

Meeting Unmet Needs

Burnout often signals that a client’s deeper needs—emotional, physical, or spiritual—are being ignored. We ask questions like:

•   Where are you feeling depleted?
•   What’s missing in your day-to-day life?
•   How can you nourish yourself in meaningful ways?
•   What needs to change for you to put yourself first?

This isn’t just about self-care routines; it’s about realigning their life with their values and priorities.

The Burnout-Specific Coaching Framework

At the Burnout Academy, we’ve developed a coaching framework designed to address Burnout at its roots. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all model; it’s a personalised approach grounded in the realities of modern life. Through evidence-based strategies, practical tools, and reflective practices, we help clients not only recover from Burnout but build resilience to prevent its recurrence.

Our framework shifts the coaching conversation from “How can you do more?” to “How can you do differently?” It’s a powerful reframing that encourages clients to embrace change, redefine success, and create sustainable wellbeing.

Transform Your Coaching Practice

Burnout is on the rise, and as coaches, we must rise to meet this challenge. Enhancing your skills and understanding of Burnout is not just an opportunity; it’s a responsibility.

The Burnout Academy offers training, resources, and a supportive community to equip you with the tools to make a real difference. Join us, and together we can banish Burnout in the changing world of work.

Kelly