Tips for Life Coaches Who Can't Find the Off Switch
A Pressing Issue
As a life coach and entrepreneur, have you ever felt like the notion of "work-life balance" simply doesn't apply to you? Between irregular working hours, client sessions that extend into evenings and weekends, and perhaps even balancing a traditional job on top of your coaching practice, the idea of neatly separating work from personal life might seem impossible.
You've probably heard conversations about "work-life balance" from friends, family, or news sources discussing a variety of research on the subject. Studies have found statistical significance between productivity and job performance and measurements of a work-life balance. There are also possible applications of research into work-family and work-health balances for a variety of employment demographics. But as a life coach navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, what does work-life balance mean for you?
What Does A Work-Life Imbalance Look Like?
In a TEDTalk, Nigel Marsh states perfectly “If you don’t design your life, someone else will do it for you, and you may not like their idea of balance.”
Unfortunately, we can wind up in situations where we feel owned by our work—even as life coaches. People with a work-life imbalance can feel stuck, trapped in a career they can’t leave, and unable to pursue their passions outside of work. As a life coach, you might find yourself overcommitting to clients, taking on too many sessions, and feeling like your business controls your life more than you do.
This imbalance isn't automatically resolved just because you're self-employed or running your own coaching practice. In fact, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be very challenging for those who have recently started their coaching business. You may pour most of your time into figuring it out—taking on too many clients or hours, marketing, and, all the while, might feel that inability to “clock out” and begin relaxing off the job. Eventually, here too, it will end up being outside factors (those “someone else” Marsh discusses) that take control of designing where all your life’s time will be spent.
So how is this imbalance noticed and stopped? Just like defining the concept overall, there’s no easy, singular answer. However, it will involve “ironing out” what’s important to you. Try to answer this question:
Can you tell me where your time is going?
Whether it’s you asking yourself, or a coach asking a client who might have a work-life imbalance, it all comes down to discovering what you are giving all of your energy to.
Work-Life Balance For The Life Coach
Even if you absolutely love your career as a life coach, remember that no one can pour from an empty cup. There must be meaningful engagement with all areas of your life. But what happens if you fear you have a work-life imbalance? Does it mean quitting? Pushing forward and ignoring the signs of burnout?
As a life coach, it's essential to be fully present for your clients. You don't have to be at 100%, but you do need to ensure that you're not depleted. A coach who isn't present in the session won't be the effective thought partner your clients need.
Here are some steps you can take to maintain or achieve a healthy work-life balance:
Set Clear Boundaries: Determine specific working hours and stick to them. Communicate these boundaries to your clients, families, or colleagues to manage expectations.
Limit Your Client Load: Identify how many clients are manageable for you. This number may vary at different points in your career, so regularly assess your capacity.
Manage Session Lengths: Decide on session durations that suit you—whether that's 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or another length—and avoid overextending yourself.
Schedule Personal Time: Block out time for rest, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones. Treat these appointments with the same importance as client sessions.
Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that replenish your energy, such as exercise, meditation, or other wellness practices.
Delegate and Outsource: If possible, delegate administrative tasks or outsource certain aspects of your business to free up personal time.
Regularly Reflect: Take time to evaluate where your time and energy are going. Adjust your schedule and commitments as needed to maintain balance.
Finally, consider, how would you coach a client with a work-life imbalance?
The same principles ring true for us as coaches. By proactively addressing our own work-life balance, we not only enhance our well-being but also improve our ability to help clients achieve theirs.
Thank you,
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