Cecillia (age 53)

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