How can you coach clients through burnout?

1 Assess the signs

The first step is to help your client identify the signs of burnout and how they affect their well-being. Some common signs are feeling tired, overwhelmed, cynical, detached, ineffective, or unfulfilled. You can use a burnout assessment tool, such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory, to measure the level of burnout and its dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. By assessing the signs, you can help your client understand the severity of their situation and the need for action.

2 Explore the causes

The next step is to help your client explore the causes of their burnout and how they relate to their values, goals, and expectations. Some common causes are workload, role conflict, lack of control, lack of support, lack of recognition, or lack of meaning. You can use powerful questions, such as "What is the most stressful aspect of your work?" or "What are you missing in your work?" to elicit the underlying factors that contribute to burnout. By exploring the causes, you can help your client gain clarity and awareness of their situation and the potential solutions.

3 Create a recovery plan

The third step is to help your client create a recovery plan that addresses their needs and preferences. A recovery plan should include strategies to reduce stress, increase energy, enhance motivation, and restore balance. Some examples are setting boundaries, delegating tasks, prioritizing activities, taking breaks, practicing self-care, seeking support, celebrating achievements, or finding purpose. You can use SMART goals, action steps, and accountability measures to help your client design and implement their recovery plan. By creating a recovery plan, you can help your client take charge of their situation and make positive changes.

4 Monitor the progress

The fourth step is to help your client monitor their progress and adjust their recovery plan as needed. You can use regular check-ins, feedback, and evaluation tools to track the outcomes and challenges of their recovery plan. Some indicators are changes in mood, energy, performance, satisfaction, or engagement. You can also use scaling questions, such as "On a scale of 1 to 10, how burnt out do you feel today?" or "How confident are you that you can achieve your goals?" to measure the improvement and motivation of your client. By monitoring the progress, you can help your client celebrate their successes, overcome their obstacles, and refine their strategies.

5 Prevent relapse

The fifth step is to help your client prevent relapse and sustain their recovery. You can use coaching techniques, such as reframing, affirmations, or visualization, to help your client develop a positive mindset and cope with stress. You can also use coaching tools, such as values clarification, vision boards, or mission statements, to help your client align their work with their purpose and passion. By preventing relapse, you can help your client maintain their well-being and achieve their potential.

6 Review and conclude

The final step is to help your client review and conclude their coaching journey and plan for the future. You can use a coaching review tool, such as the GROW model, to summarize the goals, reality, options, and will of your client. You can also use a coaching conclusion tool, such as the SWOT analysis, to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of your client. By reviewing and concluding, you can help your client reflect on their learning, acknowledge their growth, and prepare for their next steps.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?