Balancing urgent client needs with personal well-being: How can you excel in both areas?

There are a couple of things here that are important. Setting boundaries - yes, but know what boundaries to set firmly and which you can be flexible with is also key to understand. Communicating those boundaries is what I have found that people are less good at. This is mainly due to the fact that people don't feel they can talk about these aspects of their lives. Things are changing, but leaders need to facilitate conversations around what works for each person.

It all comes back to the oxygen theory, right? When the plane is going down, put your mask on first. If you are unwell or haggard, you cannot help others effectively. Find your currency and cash in. It is different for everybody. For you it may be sticking to a schedule, making time with friends, a hot bath, seeing a professional yourself, or watching an old movie. Whatever it is, bathe in it often. For you and for everyone else. A win-win.

Setting boundaries is easy, but respecting & sticking to it is hard. I'm not alone on this POV - >50% of my clients who are new coaches share that the hardest thing about setting boundaries is that their "work hours" aren't clearly defined (unlike a regular day job). Fortunately for coaches like us, we are not confined to the typical 9-5 schedule, so we can define it any way we like! One way to do this is to align it with the schedule of your ideal customer. E.g. I work with 9-5ers who are only available for coaching in the evenings or weekends, so I've set aside time blocks then exclusively for client work and nothing else. This also allowed me to set realistic expectations with my clients so they know when I'm available for them.

"Here are my hours of operation," is one of my first boundaries for success in relationship, life and work! What does a newborn infant, a puppy, a new employer/employee, and new client have in common? They may not clue into boundaries! Getting to know someone's boundaries takes some practice; but in general, people can learn boundaries, if we set clear limits which are predictable. When we respect our own boundaries, we teach others how to treat us. I offer this to my clients and they are amazed that they can say no to both work and family requests that fall out of range. Once we say no to others who are crossing boundaries, we can say yes to ourselves, which is what my health and wellness protion of my practice is all about.

As coaches, we often dig into sensitive or emotionally-charged topics with our clients that can linger in our minds long after the end of the conversation. If we're not good with self-regulation or compartmentalization, this might have a negative impact on our emotional well-being. Personally, I've found it useful to step away from the space and engage in physical activities for a quick "reset" The endorphins released from a 30min walk or gym session help put some distance between those lingering effects and reset our moods so we are now ready to go back in and serve another client!

Start by categorizing client requests based on urgency and impact, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed first. Use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to differentiate between urgent-important and non-urgent-important tasks. Communicate clearly with clients about timelines and expectations to manage their needs without overwhelming yourself. For example, if two clients have pressing issues, prioritize the one with the higher impact on their business or personal growth. Remember, "It's okay to be a multitasker, but even a circus juggler knows to start with two balls before adding more." This way, you can provide excellent service while maintaining your own well-being.

Building resilience as a life coach is crucial when dealing with urgent client needs. Here are three ways to strengthen it: 1. Stay Organized: Keep track of your clients’ needs and your own schedule to manage stress better. 2. Practice Self-Care: Make time for yourself to recharge and maintain balance. 3. Seek Support: Connect with peers or mentors for advice and encouragement during challenging times. By focusing on these strategies, you’ll build the resilience needed to handle urgent situations effectively and continue providing great support to your clients. Keep up the fantastic work!