The Control Method
About Philip Wilson
I’m Philip, a burnout recovery and life redesign coach from Northern Ireland. I still work shifts myself, so I know what it’s like to live in constant tiredness, feel guilty for saying no, and watch your own life get pushed to the bottom of the list.
Life By Design is the system I built to get my own energy, structure and control back – without quitting my job or pretending everything was fine. Now I use that same system to help other shift workers and overworked professionals do the same.
From Burnout to Life By Design
For years, I lived in a loop of early starts, late finishes and broken sleep. I told myself it was ‘just part of the job’, even as my health, relationships and sense of self quietly slipped.
When I finally hit burnout, the usual advice didn’t fit. I couldn’t just take six months off, move to Bali, or say no to every extra shift. I needed a way to recover that worked with my reality, not against it.
So I started testing small, practical changes: how I planned my weeks, how I handled my nervous system, how I set boundaries with work and with myself. Over time, that turned into a repeatable system – what I now call Life By Design.
WHY I DO THIS
Why I Do This
Most burnout advice is written for people with endless flexibility and safety nets. That’s not who I work with.
I work with nurses, engineers, support workers and other hardworking people who can’t just walk away from their responsibilities. People who are smart, committed and capable – they’re just exhausted and out of room.
My mission is to give you a system you can rely on when motivation disappears. Clear steps, honest conversations and support that respects your reality rather than ignoring it.
How We Work Together
Whether you start with the free Shift Worker Reset PDF, a clarity call or 1:1 coaching, we use the same core framework: The Control Method.
A
A. Reset Your Energy
We get you out of permanent survival mode by working on sleep, nervous system regulation and basic capacity, so you have enough bandwidth to make changes.
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B. Rebuild Your Structure
We design simple routines, boundaries and habits that work around your actual shifts, not some imaginary 9–5 calendar.
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C. Take Back Control
We focus on realistic planning, decision‑making and follow‑through so your days start to feel like they belong to you again – not just your job.
What This Work Can Change
People who work with me are often still in the same job – but their inner and outer world looks very different. They’re sleeping better, thinking clearer and no longer living in constant panic about the week ahead.
They feel less guilty about resting, more confident saying no, and more present outside of work. Most importantly, they have a system they can return to whenever life gets loud again.
If you’re ready to stop trying to ‘push through’ burnout alone, your next step is simple: start with the free Shift Worker Reset, or book a clarity call and we’ll figure out what makes sense for you.