Let’s focus on guiding your clients through the intricate process of avoiding or recovering from burnout. This edition is all about real, practical strategies that will not only boost your coaching game but also profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. 

Setting Personal Barriers:

Start with a fundamental principle— setting personal barriers. As coaches, you know the importance of defining what aligns with your values and gracefully declining what doesn’t. Extend this wisdom to your clients. Help them establish boundaries that safeguard their well-being. It’s not just about time management; it’s about preserving the essence of who they are amidst the demands of life.

The Power of Breaks:

In the coaching journey, breaks are not a luxury; they’re a lifeline. Communicate this to your clients. Encourage them to take regular pauses, not as an indulgence but as a necessity. A refreshed mind brings a more focused and energised coaching experience. Breaks are not a sign of weakness but a strategic move in the game of sustained success.

Saving perfectionism for what really matters:

Coaching clients through burnout involves reshaping their perspective on perfectionism. As coaches, we are adept at managing tasks effectively, deciding which tasks need to be completed to perfection, and which don’t. Work with your clients on strategies to navigate perfectionism, such as the 80/20 rule or the PEG strategy.

The 80/20 rule of perfectionism – a guiding principle that only 20 percent of our efforts need to be perfect. The rest? Well, it just needs to be done.

The PEG strategy – Perfect, Excellent, Good. This strategy provides a practical framework for navigating the complexities of daily life while maintaining a healthy balance. Teach your clients to categorise how tasks should be done. Not every task needs to be perfect; sometimes, good is more than enough to move forward.

Running Your Own Race:

The comparison trap is a perilous pitfall. Impress upon your clients the wisdom of running their own race. In both life and coaching, each journey is unique. Draw from your own experiences and share the freedom that comes with focusing on personal growth, rather than measuring up to someone else’s achievements. Everyone is travelling along a different road, and learning that lesson extends far beyond the coaching session.

Managing Unrelenting Expectations:

Coaching involves managing expectations, not only for yourself but also for your clients. Guide them in being realistic, setting achievable goals, and celebrating each success along the way. The journey to burnout often involves unrealistic expectations. As a coach, you have the power to reshape these expectations and guide your clients towards a more sustainable and fulfilling path.

The Power of Pause:

In the coaching world, the pause is a transformative tool. Teach your clients the art of acknowledging their successes before charging into the next goal. It’s more than a moment of reflection, it’s a deliberate act of building momentum. As they pause to recognise and celebrate their achievements, they create a positive cycle that propels them forward with renewed vigour.

Setting Intentions:

Finally, help your clients set intentions for their coaching days or weeks. This isn’t just about creating a to-do list, it’s about providing a roadmap for their focus. Guide them in defining priorities and letting everything else fall into place. Intentions serve as a compass, steering them towards what truly matters and fostering a sense of purpose in their coaching journey.

 As you navigate the delicate path of coaching clients through burnout, remember that you are not just imparting strategies, you are facilitating transformative change. Your guidance has the power to reshape perspectives, re-define priorities, and ultimately lead your clients towards a more sustainable and fulfilling life.

Sharing these mentoring moments with you,

Gaye