What do you do if you're a coach or mentor facing burnout?

An important quality that a mentor or coach brings to their conversation is their approach to bringing clarity and courage to their mentee or coachee. And that is difficult to bring if the mentor/coach experiences burnout. A short awareness-building exercise I engage in is sitting by myself for 10 minutes in the morning in solitude focusing on myself: my energy and mental well-being and asking myself why I want to mentor/coach *today*. If we reflect deeply we realize the prognosis is unique each day with new layers of nuance opening up each day and an increased leaning towards an inward focus on our learning and growth through this process while unlocking the best in the people we coach/mentor.

Being self-aware and realizing you may be in that position is critical. If you are at capacity and nearing burnout it means you won't have much to give your mentees, and that will be detrimental to them, to you as a mentor, and to the program. Don't be afraid to step away and take a time out until you're able to center yourself. If you're part of a program, notify the relevant people and arrange for an exit plan so you don't leave your mentees high and dry.

Neglecting self-care leads to burnout for coaches and mentors. Prioritizing physical, emotional, and mental health through practices like sleep, nutrition, exercise, and seeking support is essential for sustained effectiveness. Taking care of oneself ensures better support for others and sets a positive example.

Recent research has shown that exercise, sleep, diet and meaningful social connections working harmoniously alone can bring true self-care to our lives. Such a holistic approach can not only provide us with repair and restoration of our physical self but also help us recharge emotionally, find the inner strength to face new challenges and build a community-based support system that gives us the encouragement and consolation we need to be fit for our role as mentors/coaches.

Feeling stagnant or bored contributes to burnout for coaches and mentors. To counter this, seek new challenges, skills, and feedback to stay motivated and engaged. Celebrate achievements to maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Burnout is a very real thing. As a coach/mentor, you must live from a full cup vs an empty one. We pour so much into others that we must sure to keep our cup full. Pouring from an empty cup bleeds on other people which drains you. It’s important that you also have a coach/mentor and take time of reflection to explore your connection. Talking to people that your coaching has helped reminds you of your purpose. Self care and meditation strengthen me as well. Reflecting over your accomplishments and mistakes reminds you of your why and gives you fuel to keep going.

Don't forget to seek support from your own mentors. Ask for their guidance in resetting your approach to mentoring, sometimes as a mentor you overextend yourself in ways that aren't actually benefitting your mentee either -- it's helpful to get perspective from time to time on your current practice & reprioritize your approach.

Seeking professional help is crucial when dealing with burnout. It's a serious condition impacting both physical and mental health. If experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, or struggling with work/life balance, reaching out to a doctor, therapist, or counselor is essential. Remember, you're not alone, and seeking help is a deserving act of self-care.

A great way to be at an arm's distance from professional help when you need it is to engage frequently in being coached/mentored. Not only does it offer us the opportunity to learn from another coach's/mentor's approach but it also helps us process our feelings and thoughts and bring to our conscious level any issues that may need therapy or counselling. A coach/mentor connected to other coaches/mentors for their support is better equipped to support their coachees/mentees.

It's so important to remember to fill your cup first. Especially when your work is so focused on helping others. As coaches and mentors, we often spend our days sharing tips, tools and advice that we forget to take ourselves. You can't pour from an empty cup no matter how good your intentions are. Block out time first thing in the morning to take care of yourself before you start pouring into everyone else.