What do you do if you're an executive coach in need of a recharge and rejuvenation outside of work?

Executive coaching is not merely a professional endeavor; it encompasses a personal transformation journey. Based on my experience, achieving equilibrium among the mind, heart, and body is pivotal for rejuvenation. This should transcend occasional engagement, evolving into a lifestyle. In times of mental stress, integrating activities that stimulate the body or heart, such as physical exercise or engaging hobbies, provide respite. During physical strain, practices like meditation or acts of compassion can invigorate the mind or heart offering relief. Emotional turmoil can be assuaged by activities that engage the body and mind, such as gym sessions or yoga. Ultimately, embrace strategies that resonate within your unique circumstances.

I plan my day, which includes when I will wrap up the day, leave the office and dedicate my time to family, hobbies, and personal things. I break the day up with a quick walk or time playing with the dog. We are so much more than what we do for a living. When something last minute comes up for a client I work hard to resist the urge to immediately rearrange my schedule to deliver on the spot. A client knows when they're asking for help at the end of the day and usually doesn't expect you to drop everything for them. If it's an emergency, they'll tell you.

It is so important to model the balance in work and life as a coach and be very mindful of it. It is the foundation of extraordinary results for your clients and for yourself. Being aware of your own needs and being able to say no are prerequisites of this and your great work. As a daily practice you can make sure you start your day grounded and centered by meditating or whatever makes you feel good. Set an intention for your day and how you want to show up and the overwhelm will dissipate. As an executive coach I believe you have to be able to take care of yourself and your needs first. #SelfLeadership #ExecutiveofyourOwnLife

It's always back to nature for me. If I'm not at my best, I can't be at my best for our clients. Hiking, scuba diving, or anything else near water refills my tank so I can bet there for others.

A few nights ago, I attended a Women's Wealth Circle, and the panelists spoke truth to power. As executive coaches, we often care so much for our clients that we must remember to fill our cups. Our gifts as coaches need rest & relaxation. We must remember why we are passionate about reading books, doing yoga, bike riding, fishing, and touring around another country. Once we know our why, we will continue doing what gives us joy. When intentional about doing the things we enjoy the most (we could be alone), we regenerate our WHOLE selves and can continue giving from our filled cup ??.

Recent research by Cell Journal suggests that when we learn new things, like fishing, painting, cooking, crafting, building a deck, calligraphy, learning to play an instrument, brushing our teeth with the opposite hand, or learning a new language, our brains create new neural pathways. As we age (we all do), this rejuvenation of brain cells is crucial in lowering the risk of cognitive decline and memory loss.

Engaging in a new hobby is a good gesture to get recharged because of being involved in a different kind of change (new and perhaps challenging). It is like recharging the battery using a new and different kind of energy provider (fuel).

Exploring new hobbies can spark fresh curiosity. Even if we love our jobs, it's important to make space for personal interests and experimentation. Hobbies provide a mental break from work, helping refresh our cognitive abilities. They also broaden our perspectives, contributing to personal growth. This makes us more well-rounded and enhances our ability to connect with clients.

New hobbies give us fresh perspectives and help build new neural pathways. It is a great way to recharge and learn something new about yourself. Finding new talents and interests helps us refresh and change up our day to day schedules which can be good for the brain and clear our minds.

Dedicate time to activities that bring you joy and a sense of fulfillment outside of work. This could be anything from playing music or painting to gardening or hiking. Physical exercises is a great way to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost energy levels. Find physical activities you enjoy, such as running, swimming, yoga, or team sports. Mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, and spending time in nature can all help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Consider incorporating these practices into the daily routine.

This is SO paramount in our daily lives. Without physical health, we cannot attend work or continue doing what we love. Our temples are our bodies. Tongue twister:) I have said that for years. We must water and heal; it is the only living thing we can control. We control what we listen to on the news, what types of foods we intake, how much water or soda we drink, how often we go outside to breathe fresh air, and how much we exercise. Maintaining good physical health as an executive coach for high-achieving women ensures that my overall health, aptitude, energy, and mood remain optimal. A robust physical and mental resilience is essential in coaching roles.

Physical health supports our emotional and mental health and we need it to be at our best to support others. The physiological effects of exercise or movement are so impactful on how we feel and operate. It's important we don't ignore this aspect of our wellbeing. It is so easy to neglect yourself as someone who is looking after others, but by keeping up with your physical health you are putting yourself in the best space for all of you. Taking time out for movement or exercise will create space and fresh perspective - thinking time - and help you with the challenges you face in your work.

What I do for physical health, every single day I have a routine that involves physical activity, physical stress exertion and physical fitness which is extremely important for Wellness and it will reflect across your level of stress. Management your stress limit and also your mental strength and emotional intelligence will also help with conflict management, and will have a direct impact on your financial strength

Focus on maintaining and improving your physical well-being through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. Incorporate physical activities that you enjoy, such as yoga, hiking, or dancing, to boost your energy levels and reduce stress.

As someone who stopped attending social events for work after COVID-19, I found myself safe behind my computer. I see my clients and work online while viewing a peaceful lake from my home office window. This year, I realized I was in my comfort zone. Nothing happens there. Lol. I started attending professional networking events and many more social gatherings, which made me feel connected with a non-computer:) Relationships are better when face-to-face. You can discuss and dialogue on many topics over some cocktails while keeping solid social ties. This is key to rejuvenating your mind and spirit! Have a drink on me:)

Social connection is crucial for our health and well-being. It helps regulate stress and booat positive hormones. Chilling with friends, chatting to other coaches, going for supervision, hanging out with your partner or family... It all helps. I have really started to be better with boundaries around this. I make sure to have weekend time for family and some evening time too. I have also stopped feeling guilty about it. I don't have to be busy all the time to be valuable and a hero. I was a business addict. I am much more innovative, calmer, solutional, compassionate, neutral and connected when I have a full cup and I feel my tribe behind me.

I love to connect to other people, be it online or offline. I already got known to so many amazing people from all over the world. This has broadened my perspective.

Nurture meaningful relationships with friends, family members, and colleagues outside of work. Schedule regular social activities or gatherings to connect with others, share experiences, and enjoy laughter and companionship.

Create a healthy lifestyle and successful business so that you can spend your time and energy to the things matters most in life. And in my healthy, high-value and quality lifestyle spending time with my love ones AND spending time alone are fulfilling and enrich my happiness, spirit and soul.

Continuous learning is a way of helping our minds expand. It helps refresh resource tools for executive coaches. When executive coaches take online or live courses, this can enhance their coaching skills and further impact their sessions with clients. This type of continuous learning, as I have mentioned before, can enhance and create new neurons that prevent the brain from aging or getting age-related diseases. Keep your mind sharp by diving into word puzzles, crosswords, math problems, and new industry insights.

Personally, I’m a lifelong learner. I I have found that it is important to balance a regular meditative state to connect with my higher self from which all inspiration flows and taking in what is new in the areas of expertise I’m interested in. Information can be nourishing if it is in alignment with the mood. I use my subscriptions on YouTube, Audible, Gaia and any courses I’m in for variety and tend to alternate to expand my awareness. The most important thing for me to find restfulness is the whether or not I have a resonance/attunement to voice of the speaker. If the voice isn’t authentic, I switch out.

I love to travel to learn new languages and new habits and new perspectives. This deepens my understanding of others which contributes to an overall open attitude.

There are subjects that remain on a learning bucket list that I keep active. I add to it and rarely cross anything off. I schedule time, usually late at night and I research the topic. If anything about it further interest me, I schedule future time to further explore. Doing so, re-energizes me. Helping others understand their strengths and how they use them to lead others reminds me that I, myself, require time to continuous improvement.

Stimulate your mind and expand your knowledge by engaging in lifelong learning opportunities. Attend workshops, seminars, or online courses related to personal development, leadership, or areas of interest to stay intellectually curious and inspired.

Breath of Life Of all the practices I have used to sustain and enhance my life and career, discovering the power of the breath has been the most impactful As a CEO, I learned the power of box breathing to calm my mind and enhance my concentration during times of incredible stress As a consultant and keynote speaker, I learned the power of Wim Hof breathing to start my day with incredible clarity and energy As a husband, father, and friend, I learned the power of deep, steady breathing when I’m truly listening to another person, enabling me to slow my thinking and open my heart Tapping into the power of breath has literally been one of the most vital practices of my entire career. The next time you feel stressed, just breathe.

When I was in 8th grade I picked up a hatha yoga book and began practicing. Many different spiritual methods attracted my attention and have engaged my exploration into the realms of consciousness, especially meditation and mindfulness. My favorite space to be in is connected with the bliss of Samadhi. I began to tune into Christ Consciousness and channel when I was 33. The words I hear with my inner knowing and can give to others or hold the space of compassionate listening can only be done when there is the available energy to maintain focus. Without dipping into the source of my own well I cannot be as well resourced for my clients. So my pattern is to spend much time in Being state and prioritize it for high performance to be possible.

Cultivate mindfulness and present-moment awareness through meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness-based practices. Take time each day to quiet your mind, focus on your breath, and cultivate a sense of inner calm and balance.

As a Zen practitioner it is part of my day to meditate each morning before I start my day and again in the evening. I encourage others to find an activity that will improve their ability of controlled breathing. Maintaining correct posture with each inhale and exhale will create a memory position that you can draw on when you are feeling pressure or stress. During stressful situations, if you draw your body into that same posture, your body will automatically go into a more even and controlled breathing. This allows you to remain calm and clear-thinking.

In the act of doing we often lose sight of the importance of being. Many of us, and I include myself here, have got caught in the cultural trance of do more, be more, and the only value we have is when we are doing something. If this is the only option we have, then we will convey this through our Way of Being to our clients, which can reinforce the message that "more is better" and "busy is good". A possible starting point is to consider what our relationship to time is and whether it supports us in having a life where rejuvenation is automatically available to us. From there we can choose how to spend our time and what nourishes us.

Let's understand the difference between recharge and rejuvenation. Recharge is to de-stress yourself and rejuvenation is to transform yourself with new energy and new thoughts. Recharge is best done to switch off from work and spend your time with family, friends and pets if any. A short vacation and meditation helps. Rejuvenation is done by learning new skills and practicing your hobbies, reflecting and aligning your purpose in life.

Coaching is a very attention intensive activity. It requires listening intently, holding space, consciousness, restraint, emotional labour, joint meaning-making through exploration and conversation. Such a cognitively demanding activity uses up a lot of energy. Replenishing this energy is necessary. Coaching is also usually a sit down and sedentary activity. Generating energy comes from movement. Therefore, more sitting down or stationary activities like meditation or mindfulness may not be the solution that works for everyone. Activities that involve movement and the company of others are a recommended antidote to an indoors, sedentary, cognitive and somewhat solo progression like coaching. Balance is essential!

I love learning and every year I celebrate my work , by investing in myself significantly. It was usual to attend company sponsored development as a corporate executive. Now as a business owner too, I have continued investing to stay on top of my game.This brings impact and value to my clients . So here is a list from 2024, so far, that also informs my executive coaching work: 1) Attended certification workshop on Hogan Inventories 2) Completed VIA Character Strengths training for coaches 3) Took membership at Institute of Coaching(Harvard Med School affiliate) which offers cutting edge learning opportunities 4) Attended certification teacher training in Energization Exercises( a 108 year old practice) for body, mind and soul.

I prefer to connect with family, friends , and nature plus experiment with cooking comes naturally to me . This helps me to recreate and refresh. I love my work and accompanying leaders who are eager to make a difference in their work-life is like a privilege. Many times reconnecting with earlier clients helps in refreshing because each one has unique journey and it's full of new experiences, listening to them is a true joy.