People in Transition 121. Laura Nguyen - Author of Career Break Compass ᐧ Marketing Leader ᐧ Coach
Feeling Burned Out? Discover How to Recharge and Redefine Your Life with Laura Nguyen
Are you feeling stuck, exhausted, or overwhelmed by burnout? You’re not alone—four in ten U.S. workers report feelings of burnout. In this compelling episode of People in Transition, Laura Nguyen shares her transformative journey and practical strategies to help you reclaim your energy, purpose, and joy.
Laura, a former VP and self-proclaimed chronic achiever, made the bold decision to step away from her high-powered career to confront burnout head-on. In 2022, she embarked on a life-changing career break, meticulously planning a program to rest, reset, and redefine her life. Her story is proof that stepping away isn’t a setback—it’s a breakthrough.
Now a marketing leader, certified executive coach, and founder of Cove & Compass, Laura helps others create fulfilling lives and careers. Her book, Career Break Compass, is a powerful guide for navigating burnout and leveraging career breaks to gain clarity and renewal. Drawing insights from her personal experiences and interviews with over 180 individuals, Laura redefines how we think about pausing to build momentum for the future.
In this episode, Laura and I explore essential topics from her book, including:
- What burnout really is and what personality types and environments are most prone to it.
- The stages of burnout and how to recognize where you are.
- Types of career breaks and how to choose the one that suits your needs.
- Anti-goals: Why identifying what you don’t want is just as important as knowing what you do.
- The four phases of a career break and how each one ensures your time off is a success.
- Your North Star: How to use it for career planning and rediscover your true purpose.
- Why the advice to “follow your passion” might not be the best path forward.
Laura’s insights illuminate a topic we don’t discuss enough—the toll burnout takes on our lives and how we can effectively recover from it. Whether you’re on the verge of burnout or simply curious about stepping off the treadmill to recalibrate, this episode offers a roadmap for thoughtful career breaks and sustainable career planning.
Listen to this eye-opening conversation and take the first step toward a healthier, more intentional future. Share it with someone who might need the encouragement to pause, reflect, and reset—it could change their life