Navigating Burnout: The Journey of Seeking Relief and Support

Making It Work

“Making It Work” is a series that delves into the journey of small-business owners navigating challenging times.

Seeking Relief from Burnout

When Karen Schiro, a real estate agent from Fairfax Station, Va., found herself overwhelmed and burnt out, she turned to a burnout coach, Ellyn Schinke, based in Tacoma, Wash. Reflecting on her experience, Schiro, 45, admitted, “I knew that I was burned out and I just didn’t know how to fix it.”

Through six months of weekly video sessions, Schiro learned valuable strategies to streamline her hectic schedule. Simple changes such as adding a note in her email signature declaring her non-response after 6 p.m. made a significant difference. Schiro acknowledged that these adjustments, though seemingly trivial, were challenging to implement without an external perspective.

The Impact of Burnout

Even prior to the upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on traditional work settings, the World Health Organization had identified burnout as a significant concern. In 2019, burnout was characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy—factors that hinder individuals from bouncing back independently. Michael P. Leiter, a renowned researcher at Acadia University in Nova Scotia specializing in burnout, emphasized the difficulty of overcoming burnout single-handedly. “It’s really helpful to have a secondary point of view or some emotional support,” Leiter noted.

The Role of Burnout Coaches

Operating within a realm that intersects psychotherapy and career coaching, burnout coaches provide crucial support to individuals grappling with chronic workplace stress. While lacking formal accreditation and oversight, the term “burnout coach” can sometimes be used loosely. Consequently, individuals in need of such services must exercise caution and discernment when seeking professional guidance in navigating burnout.