Who's in the Hot Seat?
Coaching Client: Max, Associate Director for an entertainment news streaming company
Coaching Challenge:
Max came to Executive Coaching feeling depleted, overwhelmed, and unable to manage the demands of his job. He thought he needed better time management strategies. After deep self-reflection, he realized he was experiencing burnout.
Strategies to Overcome Burnout and Thrive
What is burnout exactly? Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It is a state where individuals feel drained, overwhelmed, and unable to cope with the demands of their job and life. Burnout can manifest in many different ways, such as increased anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping, and it can lead to serious health problems if left unchecked.
Max was experiencing racing thoughts, irritability, hypervigilance, and disruptive sleep. His manager told him that she was concerned about his lowered productivity. At home, his partner was pushing for a vacation but Max was worried about taking time off when he was behind at work.
Coaching started with Max allowing himself to see his role objectively and appreciatively... that he is in a significant role and under a great deal of pressure. From there, he implemented strategies to improve his burnout symptoms and prevent it from becoming a chronic issue.
Max did the following:
Prioritize self-care. Self-care is not just about bubble baths and massages; it is about creating healthy habits and routines that support your physical and mental health. Max focused on regular exercise, healthy eating, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks throughout the day to recharge.
Set boundaries. Leaders often have a lot of demands placed on them, which can lead to overwork and burnout. Setting boundaries can be challenging, but it is essential to prevent burnout. Max started saying no to additional tasks that were not necessary, delegating responsibilities to others, and setting realistic expectations for what he could accomplish in a day.
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, without judgment or distraction. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve focus and concentration, which can be incredibly beneficial for leaders. Max introduced new practices that include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and taking regular breaks throughout the day to reset and refocus.
How is Max today? He improved his overall health and wellbeing, increased his energy and vitality, reduced his stress and anxiety, discovered a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose, enhanced his relationships with family and friends, increased his productivity and efficiency, and increased his job satisfaction and engagement.