The Situation:
“As an executive coach, I help overwhelmed leaders find clarity, purpose and fulfillment in their work and lives – yet due to recent extreme family situations, combined with the heaviness my clients are reporting, I’ve lost my own sense of joy. The emotional weight of client work and the constant need to hold space for others leave little room for lightness in my own life. I give so much, but lately, I find that what used to give me energy and happiness no longer fuels me. The disconnect between the joy I help others reclaim and my inner reality is deeply disheartening. How do I reconnect with the version of myself who feels alive and joyful, without walking away from the meaningful work I do for others?”
Response:
As an executive coach, you’re in a unique position of giving so much of yourself to others, and it’s natural to feel depleted when the balance between giving and receiving becomes skewed. The disconnect you’re feeling is not a failure – it’s a signal it’s time to take stock of what you need.
According to the great Joseph Campbell, we are all on a hero’s journey. We set out on a quest, encounter difficulties, work through them, continue our journey…and rinse, lather, repeat. I’m not being snarky; I’m talking from deeply personal experience. While I don’t often speak of my personal circum- stances in this column, I’ve been battling oral cancer since 2014. And what a battle it’s been.
I’ve continued to work through radiation, massive surgeries, and now immunotherapy, but sometimes, I’m just done. And I pause. And it’s better to pause on purpose rather than be forced to pause because we’re out of energy spiritually, emotionally and physically. This work is so important, and it’s time to give yourself permission to prioritize your own well-being.
Just as you encourage your clients to invest in themselves, you must extend that same grace to yourself. Reflect on what used to bring you joy and energy, and consider how you can reintroduce those elements into your life in small, manageable ways. Consider taking a pause or reduce your client load from coaching; it’s amazing how clients understand and will be there when you return.
It may also help to seek support from a trusted mentor, ther- apist or peer group. Sharing your struggles with someone who understands the demands of your role can be validating and may offer fresh perspectives on how to navigate this season of life. You don’t have to carry this alone.
By tending to yourself with the same care and compassion you offer others, you can begin to reclaim the joy and vitality that will allow you to continue your meaningful work with renewed energy and authenticity. It is incredibly difficult to continue working in the midst of personal upheaval. But you can find your joy again. It may take time, but it will come.
You are a hero on a journey, no doubt.
Read the whole article HERE.
Published in, and reproduced with permission from, choice, the magazine of professional coaching www.choice-online.com