You're navigating clients through career transitions. How do you maintain self-care in the process?

This is my routine while helping my clients thru career transition. I do not hold any client meeting after 5pm on weekdays. I ensure there is at least 15 minutes to 30 minutes gap between meetings so that I can make the necessary contextual switch. I exercise regularly. I do yoga at least three times a week. I also go for long walks on weekends listening to my favorite music on Spotify. I try to eat balanced meals and get at least 6 hours of sleep everyday. I connect and interact regularly with my family and friends and physically meet with them whenever possible. For me lifelong learning is key. I read a variety of books, take courses on LinkedIn Learning and Coursera and attend any educational webinars of interest.

Manter o autocuidado enquanto trabalha com aconselhamento de carreira é essencial para sustentar a eficácia e o bem-estar. Estabele?a limites claros entre trabalho e vida pessoal, reservando tempo para descanso e atividades de lazer. Pratique a autodisciplina para evitar a sobrecarga de trabalho, delegando tarefas quando possível. Invista em práticas de bem-estar, como exercícios físicos, medita??o e alimenta??o saudável. Busque apoio emocional através de supervis?o ou grupos de apoio com colegas, onde você possa compartilhar experiências e desafios. Desenvolva habilidades de gerenciamento de estresse e técnicas de mindfulness para manter a calma e o foco. Fa?a pausas regulares durante o dia para recarregar a energia.

When work (or the lack thereof) gets tough, you'll need an outlet. I started training for the 2023 Columbus Marathon during a time of great uncertainty in my career. I had just left a position where my contributions were not appropriately valued, and my transition to a new role was taking longer than expected. The stress of being unemployed ballooned. How was I to stay on track with my financial goals? What about my once-blossoming career? At my wit’s end, I started running. Eventually, jogs around Hoover Reservoir turned into group runs at Blacklick Woods with the local Black Men Run chapter. By that fall, I had run a marathon. To show up for your clients, you have to show up for yourself. Or you can choose not to, and be a hypocrite.

Developing partnerships with other professional services can help you stick to boundaries within your role. In career counselling it’s common to have clients with multiple needs, such as financial problems, family issues, and mental health difficulties. As a career counsellor it’s not your role to support with these things, but separating them is challenging because they all have an effect on a person’s career. Building up a strong network of other services you can trust will enable you to signpost your clients for expert help when they need it, allowing you to focus on your role as their career counsellor. Working in partnership with other services can be beneficial to you and your clients.