Case study no. 5: Cecillia (age 53), Coach/therapist, the owner of a training company cooperating with freelance coaches, office at home.
I was working harder and harder and with declining productivity. My ineffectiveness made me angry at myself and sharp with co-trainers. I stopped falling asleep quickly and easily even though really tired.
SYMPTOMS:
- decline of productivity, working overtime, fatigue, feeling of failure, lack of self-satisfaction
- no free time, neglecting health issues
- no vacation, inability to rest
- low self-esteem, efficacy and belief in my abilities
- desire to gain approval from others
- taking on new tasks without employing additional staff
- problems with sleeping, waking up during the night, persistent dark thoughts
- health problems – various inflammations, colds, sores, heart problems
- total powerlessness, lack of energy, inability to think clearly
- failure to meet personal commitments (forgetting promises)
CONDITIONS AT WORK
- being responsible for marketing, organization, creating programs , materials, financial aspects, contacts
- office at home – lack of separation between office time and private time
ATTITUDE OF THE PERSON BEING COACHED:
- need to prove oneself and gain acceptance from others
- protecting co-workers – taking full responsibility
- choosing “takers” as co-workers
- taking on tasks at the expense of private free time
- dropping everything when somebody needed support
- believing that who “doesn’t work doesn’t eat”
- not caring about herself but strongly concerned about the good name of the company
RESCUE MECHANISMS:
- energizing group lessons/meetings
- gardening
- better relationship with family members
COACHING ACTIVITIES:
- qualifying the level of burnout
- naming the key factors leading to self-exploitation
- recovery plan for health and body
- updating hierarchy of values and learning how to fulfil them
- learning how to delegate responsibility
- cooperating with a creative person and using the motivational program “TOWARDS”
- building a new vision of the company and her role in it
- creating self-acceptance and self-worth mechanisms
- rebuilding mechanisms responsible for keeping energy at a satisfying level
KEY ACTIONS:
- changing the way of thinking as; “I have to do everything by myself”, “I can’t ask for help”, “I’m responsible for others”
- physical recovery – diet adapted to the organism’s needs
- putting health and well-being as top priorities
- managing emotions