Naila Qazi

Coaches! Take A Breather

As a coach, you have a lot on your plate. Extended sessions, enrolments, one-on-one sessions, and the
list goes on. However, there are moments when you can feel so swamped by the pressure that it leads
to being uninspired overall. You get frustrated and aggravated over petty matters because coaching
takes a lot of your zest, and at times, it can be highly unforgiving. These issues stem from the stigma
around coaches; you are supposed to be at your best game all the time. It is humanly impossible to be
the best version of ourselves, and the consequences of such lofty expectations are harmful.

As a coach, it’s not always a sunny day. Some days you want to block out the world and stay in your
pajamas, but the others make you wonder with gratitude. Contrary to this notion, coaches are
envisioned as larger-than-life individuals. The truth is that coaches do not have their batteries full
every part of the day, and they can’t be impeccable listeners, motivators, or guides 24/7.

The inherent qualities of coaches can be shriveled, and it’s normal. Before being a coach, you are a
human being. All the goodness can be sidelined because you need a breather. The expectations and the
to-do list will be there, but pause and think: Is it fair to put that much pressure on yourself? Despite
everything, is this okay to burden yourself with unrealistic benchmarks?

Being a coach means you are in a profession where caring is part of the parcel. The job profile involves
helping others resolve their problems and perform better in their professional life. However, this job can
be emotionally and physically draining, leading to compassion fatigue or burnout.

Be Aware

When actively working as a coach, it is crucial to be mindful. Your health and well-being are essential.
Watch out for any symptoms of compassion fatigue. If you need external help to combat your issues,
seek help. Keeping tabs on yourself means being dedicated to your work, clients, and responsibilities.

You can make notes or set score benchmarks for your well-being. I read somewhere that setting scores
for your emotional health can be beneficial. For example, if you feel slightly irritated, record a score of 1
or 2. In case of score proliferation, you can seek help before matters deteriorate.

Self-Care

It is essential to take care of yourself before taking on the world. Everything is better when you are
healthy and happy. Self-care is necessary, not a luxury. It is not a selfish deed to take time out for
yourself. Coaching is a caring profession, and if you are not well, it will be impossible to accomplish
your job effectively. Everyone has an interpretation of self-care. However, it would help if you started
with the basics.

Work on your sleep schedule, maintain a healthy sleep cycle, eat well, and exercise regularly. You can
also set a time frame for self-care therapy; for instance, you take out time from your busy routine every
weekend and go for a retreat. Moreover, if you are pressuring yourself with work, try to get help for
chores. Anything that makes your life easier and healthy is self-care.

Prioritize your me-time

Work-life balance is everything. You can quickly get wrapped up in your never-ending work assignments,
leading to isolation. This can lead to many mental health issues, including depression, loneliness,
anxiety, etc. You have to take control of your activities and prioritize spending time with your close-knit
circle, including friends and family. Keeping up with your social connections can keep many
psychological problems at bay.

Your me-time is when you keep all your work priorities aside and spend time with the people you want
to. It can be a long conversation with a friend, a family dinner, taking a walk with your partner, or
anything that makes you relaxed. Improper social interactions can be very hazardous. Try to maintain a
healthy balance between your work and personal life. It is the key to remaining productive and efficient.

Develop Productive Habits

When you have an active career, there is a lot on your mind. It gets challenging to relax and get rid of all
those extra thoughts. There is constant pressure to be at your A-game, which can be stressful.
Developing a productive habit or hobby can be an excellent way to blow the steam off. It gives you a
safe passageway to relax and do something that makes you feel happy. Last year, I started gardening. I
renovated my backyard and turned it into a beautiful corner. Apart from the rewarding feeling, I
improved my overall well-being.

You can sit down and consider the things that make you happy. Write them down on paper, and decide
the one you can incorporate into your busy life. For example, you can start reading. One page a day
could be significant. It is up to you.

Let’s Combat Limiting Beliefs

Are you an entrepreneur looking to reach the top, but something is holding you back? Or are you a professional in a corporate setting where you think you cannot have any career growth? I have been there, and after two decades of success and failures, I now believe that there is nothing that a strong, independent, and confident woman cannot achieve.

Looking back at my low self-esteem and self-confidence, I have come to understand that the above-stated problems were deep-rooted in my own limiting beliefs about myself. The problem was never the circumstances; it was in the way I have perceived them. Limiting beliefs paralyzed my progress both as an entrepreneur and later as a corporate woman. 

The truth is, I could have achieved whatever I wanted if I had dealt with the negative ideas that blabbered in my mind all day long. Every voice that told me that I am not competent enough to achieve my goals was a foe. It was this negative self-talk that painted the canvas around me with damaging paint. But, once I learnt to fight that voice, all my dreams started manifesting themselves in my life.

A MINUTE OF DISBELIEF 

You can be excellent at what you do, everyone envies your success story, but that is not what you want. You have a notion about your career growth. However, the voice in your mind tells you that you are not good enough to achieve those milestones. Therefore, you find giving up easier than striving for something so difficult. That is what we call limiting beliefs. You are undermining your brilliance, and that is unfair to your potential. Hampering the boundary of your potential eventually leads to very severe implications. Other than having a strong impact on your mental health, it can cause some real damage in your professional life. For example, you have a splendid idea that you want to pitch to your boss, but you do not pitch the idea to her due to lower self-confidence. Someone else pitches the same idea, and it turns out to be a hit. What refrained you from becoming the superstar in this situation is that one minute of disbelief in your potential. If you had the positive mindset, and the correct strategies to step up, you would have achieved something spectacular. This small example is the primary reason behind many female professionals’ career lag. 

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we stop to look fear in the face…We must do that which we think we can’t.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.

SETTLING FOR TOXIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Sometimes, limiting beliefs can interrupt your self-defence mechanism against a toxic situation in the workplace. It is not about growth all the time; it is crucial to protect your integrity and self-esteem at times. Limiting beliefs about your strength can lead you to suffer in an unbearable dilemma. You may be stuck in a dilemma that doesn’t like, or you may be compromising at a lower position within an organization and still feel that you are not good enough to move away from these toxic circumstances. It does not prevent you from achieving your set goals but also bruises your confidence.

Let’s combat your limiting beliefs together 

The mind is a powerful organ, and your thoughts can do wonders. Taking control of your thoughts can help you take control of your life and career. A positive change in your mindset can put you on the path to achieving your ultimate goals. Whenever you undermine your capabilities, understand that you are highly influenced by a negative thought pattern that deters you from reaching the top. How to tackle limiting beliefs and achieve your goals? First, you need to have a roadmap, a plan to set you on track. There’s nothing wrong with accepting that you need assistance. You are capable; all you need is the proper, holistic approach that will help you to move forward and achieve your vision. Whether you are an entrepreneur or a professional, we are here to help you gain the momentum you seek. Tell us about yourself, book a free session to explore options. Get on a journey to achieve everything you have ever wished for.