What do you do if you're struggling to balance self-care and client needs as a facilitator?

I am sure you are aware of the acronym 'S.M.A.R.T'. here is a version you may wish to try: S - Sustainable: ensure that your strategies for self-care and client needs management are sustainable in the long run M - Mindful: be mindful of your own well-being and limitations while juggling work responsibilities A - Attainable: set realistic goals and boundaries that you can achieve within your capacity R - Resilient: develop resilience to adapt to challenges and setbacks while maintaining your self-care routines T - Timely: implement time-bound practices such as taking regular breaks and setting specific work hours to balance your workload effectively

Wow this is THE question! A must for all facilitators is to look at the motivation behind their decisions. Look at WHY you have created this set of variables. You need to see what you do for yourself and where this comes in your list of priorities. Put yourself first, create at least one thing you do each week just for you, excercise, meditation, walking, good eating, ideally all of those. And also plan your year, block out whole days just for you. Then add your strategy and planning time and then your work days.

Everybody has things that can cause them stress.Identifying these stressors and knowing how to deal or cope with them is key to mentaining healthy mental,physical & emotional health.To achieve good output as a facilitator you need to identify your stressors & know how to deal with them when you're faced with them,so they don't overwhelm you and cause you to give below your best on your projects.Some stressors can be avoided,while those you can't avoid,you can learn how to cope with them,without it affecting your job negatively.

Being in service is different from being in servitude. The more experience I gained running projects, the clearer I became about setting clear expectations and boundaries in contracts and project kick-offs. And the framing is always about how you can best serve your client. For example, It's not disingenuous to say, "I only take client calls at these times because it allows me to be most productive at these other times."

As facilitators, we wear many hats. However, remember you can't pour from an empty cup. Here's a roadmap for success: 1. Set Boundaries: Clearly define your limits. Say no when necessary. It's okay to protect your well-being. 2. Agenda & Scope: Laser-focus discussions. Define objectives, outcomes, and timeframes. Be crystal clear. 3. Decision Makers: Involve key stakeholders in discussions of their input matters. Align expectations early. 4. Document & Recap: Track progress and recap decisions, action items, and next steps. Keep everyone informed. 5. Prioritize: Distinguish between need-to-do(critical), nice-to-do(important), and revisit-later(non-urgent). 6. Avoid Overpromising: Be realistic. Your credibility depends on it.

This is key for me. Ensure people don't have open access to you. You do not need to be accessible 24x7. Communicate times where and how you can be contacted e.g. I review my emails once a day so you can expect to hear back from me within 24 hours. If it's more urgent then please text me. I have my phone on between 8am and 6pm every day. It is also ok to say no. You do not have to take every assignment. This can initial be hard, especially if you are freelancing but in the long run you will perform more consistently and be able to continue for longer if you are realistic about workload. Good facilitation requires downtime to recover from the physical strain of a session but also to spark creativity

An example I have noticed with not setting boundaries and expectations is you get burnt out with too many activities. It can lead to blanking out or a total disinterested in your job. Set boundaries and let your colleagues & business associates know where & when to draw the line. Take out time to rest & meditate/brood on job progress so far.Do not allow yourself to be stampeded on any project.Always take out me time's for rest mentally and physically.Draw a plan to follow that includes time's to take a break.If you don't REST,you will produce a bad job & will be a nervous reck because of the bad job you did. Whereas if you take a break in-between,you will come refreshed,ready to go & give your best to whatever you are doing.

Having clear systems and processes in place helps with prioritizing your time as the lead facilitator. Utilizing technology to automate scheduling and communication is an effective strategy to free up time. For example, creating an initial onboarding process and using a portal that organizes communication between you and the client can streamline interactions and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. Additionally, integrating project management tools can help in tracking progress and deadlines efficiently, ensuring that client needs are met without compromising your self-care.

One thing I've found helpful is to also consider what support I need at home. It might be asking a partner to step up more during busy periods or by hiring extra support e.g. cleaner, childcare or virtual assistant support

Its ok if you can’t do it all! We are humans after all and we need to be in the best state of mind and body to deliver the best for clients. So when we need the self-care, just press pause and do what you need to and then resume when you are ready!

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When it comes to performing at our best, we often focus on skills and strategies. But here's the thing - Don't overlook the importance of your well-being. How do you expect to be on top of your game if you're running on empty? Taking care of yourself is not just a nice-to-have; it's a way to invest in your own success. By making self-care a priority, you not only boosting your own resilience and clarity but also maintaining your motivation. The thing is, it's not just about you. When you are firing on all cylinders, you are a far better contributor. Bottom line? Recognising the value of self-care is not just a personal thing - it's a game changer for reaching your full potential and building an ethos of sustainable high performance.

You can't show up for someone unless you show up for yourself first. You might feel guilty saying no and resting, but know that it's the best thing you'll do to be able to perform your best. Take a holiday when you can, and turn off your email notifications.

When struggling to balance self-care and client needs as a facilitator, it's essential to acknowledge the stressors that may emerge, such as conflicts, challenging statements, or low energy levels in the group. In those difficult moments, raising self-awareness is key in my experience. By consciously recognizing triggers, I can implement strategies to manage them effectively, such as taking brief breaks for deep breathing or refocus, reframing challenging statements as opportunities for growth and learning, and proactively addressing conflicts with empathy and active listening. Prioritizing my own well-being ensures that I can better support the needs of my clients while maintaining a healthy balance in my facilitation practice.