Case study no. 5: Cecillia (age 53), Coach/therapist, the owner of a training company cooperating with freelance coaches, office at home.

I was working harder and harder and with declining productivity. My ineffectivity made me angry at myself and sharp for co-trainers. I stopped to fall asleep quickly and easily though was really tired…

Symptoms:

• decline of productivity, working overtime, fatigue, feeling of failure, lack of self-satisfaction
• no free time, neglecting health issues
• no vacation, inability to rest
• low self-esteem, efficacy and belief in my abilities
• desire to gain approval from others
• taking on new tasks without employing additional staff
• problems with sleeping, waking up during the night, persistent dark thoughts
• health problems – various inflammations, colds, sores, heart problems
• total powerlessness, lack of energy, inability to think clearly
• failure to meet personal commitments ( forgetting promises)

Conditions at work

• being responsible for marketing, organization, creating programs , materials, financial aspects, contacts….
• office at home – lack of separation between office time and private time

Attitude of the person being coached :

• need to prove oneself and gain acceptance from others
• protecting co-workers – taking full responsibility
• choosing „takers” as co-workers
• taking on tasks at the expense of private free time
• dropping everything when somebody needed support
• believing that who „doesn’t work doesn’t eat”
• not caring about herself but strongly concerned about the good name of the company

Rescue mechanisms:

• energizing group lessons/meetings
• garden
• good relationship with family members

Coaching activities :

• qualifying the level of burnout
• naming the key factors leading to self-exploitation
• recovery plan for health and body
• updating hierarchy of values and learning how to fulfill them
• learning how to delegate responsibility
• cooperating with a creative person and using the motivational program „TOWARDS”
• building a new vision of the company and her role in it
• creating self-acceptance and self-worth mechanisms
• rebuilding mechanisms responsible for keeping energy at a satisfying level

Key actions:

• changing the way of thinking as; “I have to do everything by myself”, “I can’t ask for help”, “I’m responsible for others”
• physical recovery – diet adapted to the organism’s needs
• putting health and well-being as top priorities
• managing emotions