As summer rolls around many of our clients head off on holiday and in the coaching profession it is typically a quiet time. In theory that should mean it is the optimum opportunity for us to down tools too and take a break. However, as a coach Supervisor, I hear from many coaches how much they struggle over the summer to switch off.
The reasons for this often include the fear of missing out, resistance to rest, and a desire to use the time productively to upskill and get ahead. The importance of taking a break cannot be overstated and deep down we all know how important restoration is. Many of us will even find it is an area we coach around. The irony usually remains though, that it is much easier to coach someone else to switch off, than it is to coach ourselves!
In this article, we will explore the necessity of switching off, the hurdles coaches face in doing so, and some practical tips to help you make the most of the summer break – even if you find it impossible to “do nothing” or feel like throwing a book at the next person who suggests that you should meditate!
The Importance of Switching Off
As a coach, emotional and cognitive engagement are paramount, sustaining a grounded presence, full listening and focus on our clients can take its toll. The risk of burnout in our profession is high. Switching off for the summer is not simply about taking a vacation, it is a critical self-care component that is imperative to enabling us to maintain our passion and effectiveness as a coach. Here’s why it is essential:
Rejuvenation: Working continuously without sufficient rest can lead to mental fatigue and reduced creativity. Time off supports us to mentally rejuvenate, foster new ideas and find inspiring ways forward with aspects of our work where we were previously finding ourselves getting stuck or even complacent.
Critical self-reflection: Downtime provides us with an opportunity to reflect on ourselves and our practice in a deeper, more spacious and restorative way that we can usually afford during our typical work week. This is a crucial aspect of personal and professional growth that we otherwise forgo.
Preventing burnout: Consistently striving to meet client needs, maintain marketing, better ourselves and stay across of coaching trends, the latest thinking, research and tools can be exhausting if we don’t schedule in time away. Taking time off helps to mitigate the risk of burnout.
Challenges of Switching Off
Even when we recognise the importance of switching off, actually doing so can be particularly challenging for coaches, especially those who are self-employed. Here are some of the most common themes I meet in my work as a Coach Supervisor:
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Coaches worry about missing opportunities or important developments in their clients’ lives. This can be a significant barrier to taking a proper break.
Disappointing Others: Some coaches feel guilty about not being on hand if a client may need them whether that be for a session, resource or signposting.
Difficulty Doing Nothing: Some of us find it challenging to ‘simply’ relax or do ‘nothing’. The concept of unstructured time can feel unsettling and lead to a default mode of staying busy.
Strategies for Switching Off
In order to successfully switch off and make the most of the summer break, whether for a week, fortnight or more, here are three top strategies to help:
Plan Ahead: Schedule time off and treat it as a non-moveable, so that you can inform clients around your plans and honour them for yourself. Establish clear boundaries for your time off. Communicate to others that you are going to digitally disconnect and set out-of-office responses across all platforms. This will help manage the expectations of others, reduce last minute stress and make sure your holiday doesn’t get swallowed up by client bookings.
Experiment with Restorative Activities: It is a myth that restoration can only come from doing nothing or meditating. Engaging in movement that makes you feel good can be equally beneficial, e.g. being outside in nature and walking, gardening, painting, journalling or doing something more physically demanding if in response to how your body intuitively feels.
Trust the Process: This is perhaps the biggest key to taking time off and properly recharging. We need to trust that the renewed energy and inspiration we will bring back after being off, will help our work stay sustainable. Not only will a holiday or staycation help you stay fuelled up for the winter months ahead, but many find that afterwards they are able to take a leap forward. This can mean that a break more than makes up for any potential loss of earnings or opportunities whilst away. Look for evidence of coaching peers who take annual leave and seek their input.
Conclusion
Switching off for the summer is a vital practice for coaches. It allows for rejuvenation, self-reflection, and the prevention of burnout, ultimately enhancing the quality of support we can provide to our clients. While the challenges of taking a break—such as fear of missing out, client dependency, and difficulty in relaxing—are real, they can be effectively managed with careful planning and the right strategies. By scheduling time off, preparing clients, setting boundaries, engaging in enjoyable activities, and embracing digital disconnection, we as coaches can make the most of taking a summer break. Remember, the ability to fully switch off and recharge not only benefits you but also ensures that you can continue to offer the best possible support to your clients.
Jayne Morris MCC
Jayne Morris is the UK’s leading executive burnout coach and ICF Bath & Bristol Group Lead. She has worked with multiple business owners and C-suite teams, empowering them to develop sustainable leadership strategies that build resilience and prevent burnout. To discover her Burnout Coach trainings or learn more about her work as a Supervision connect with Jayne Morris MCC on LinkedIn, read her book, Burnout to Brilliance: Strategies for Sustainable Success, check out the podcast, The Art of Balance by Balanceology (available on all major platforms), or visit her website www.balanceology.uk.
Comments