Self-care is generally recognized as important, valuable, and beneficial. There is research on the impact balance has on employee engagement and productivity. Additionally, there is research on the impact of self-care on health costs. Google the topic and you will find a multitude of articles. And, as much as we all “know” self-care and balance are important, we also recognize it is an ongoing challenge.
When coaching, sometimes clients are aware of self-care requirements, and sometimes creating awareness is appropriate. This may occur through hearing what is behind a client’s words and then observing impact, or simply asking questions.
Questions to ask:
- What are your values?
- What are your priorities?
- What is the gap between your values and your time commitments?
- What helps you perform at your best?
- How does balance impact your focus?
- How does your schedule affect your productivity?
- What level of balance do you want?
- How do you create balance?
- What are the options for managing competing priorities?
- What are your commitments?
- Which commitments are most important?
- Which commitments do you want to let go?
- What is your capacity for work time?
- What is relaxing for you?
- What are the benefits of relaxing?
- How does time-off impact your productivity?
- What does balance mean to you?
- What does self-care mean for you?
- What level of balance and self-care do you want?
- How do you want to create balance?
Ultimately it is the client’s choice as to their level of balance, their work schedule, and their self-care. As a coach, ask what they want, their barriers, how they will move past their barriers, and their action steps to make it happen.
