How can you coach someone struggling with work-life balance?
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Work-life balance is a common challenge for many professionals, especially in the context of remote work, increased demands, and personal obligations. As a coach, you can help your clients find a more satisfying and sustainable way of managing their time, energy, and priorities. Here are some tips on how to coach someone struggling with work-life balance.
The first step is to understand the root causes and effects of the imbalance. Ask your client to share their current schedule, goals, values, and stressors. Listen actively and empathetically, and avoid judging or offering solutions. Use open-ended questions and reflective statements to help your client explore their feelings, needs, and challenges. For example, you could ask: "How do you feel about your work-life balance right now?" or "What are some of the consequences of working long hours?"
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Nancy Alhyari
Transformational & ADHD Coach (ICF Certified) | ICF Jordan Chapter Board Member | CFO at Bella & Bella Productions
In my experience, positively worded open-ended questions tend to elicit responses that are more positive, thereby guiding the client towards a mindset focused on gains rather than losses. For example, “What positive difference would you like to see in your work-life balance?”. As minimum; ask a question that is clients-centered, curious, and open and hold a safe space of empathy and non-judgment.
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Tomas Kucera
Head Of Business Operations at Tricentis
When you have a new client for your coaching sessions, you are often presented with the challenge of figuring out where to start. In such situations, you can use a handy tool called the "Life Balance Wheel" to help you decode the priorities and determine where to begin the coaching session. This tool also assists the client in obtaining a holistic view of various aspects of their lives and identifying areas where they are satisfied and where they feel improvement is needed.
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The next step is to help your client identify the gaps between their current and desired state of work-life balance. Ask your client to envision their ideal scenario, and what it would look like, feel like, and mean for them. Then, compare it with their current reality, and highlight the differences. For example, you could ask: "What would you like to change about your work-life balance?" or "What are some of the benefits of having more balance in your life?"
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Henna Shaikh Razvi
Media Consultant @ Ownera - | Crafting Growth Strategies | Business Owner | Author
It's important to assess both work and life and what adds most value to their life. There is no one size fits all, so like any problem, you must do a discovery exercise to truly understand where the gaps are and how to tackle them.
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Matthew Crane
Providing skills, training and coaching to the next generation of financial service professionals
Envisioning an ideal work-life balance is the compass guiding change. Gently encourage clients to paint a vivid picture: the peace, the fulfilment, the time with loved ones. Compare this goal with today's reality, identifying disparities. Through this clarity, the path to balance sharpens and the desire to change is galvanised. Coaching isn't just about change; it's about realising a life aligned with one's deepest desires.
The third step is to help your client generate and evaluate possible options to close the gaps. Ask your client to brainstorm different ways to improve their work-life balance, and encourage them to be creative and realistic. Then, ask them to weigh the pros and cons of each option, and consider the feasibility, impact, and alignment with their goals and values. For example, you could ask: "What are some of the actions you could take to achieve more balance?" or "How would each option affect your work performance, personal well-being, and relationships?"
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Dana Burch
I guide California employers through employment laws and lawsuits. | Trusted Advisor, Litigator, Leader @ LCW | I successfully defend employers in Labor & Employment litigation.
Setting boundaries is key! Encourage the importance of setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Discuss strategies to maintain these boundaries, such as turning off work-related notifications during personal time.
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Tania Sayegh Bartolini, J.D., M.A.
TEDx Ocala 2023 speaker l Corporate Trainer | International Speaker | Attorney | Fractional CEO | Business Coach & Consultant | Founder of Business and Beyond: Your Guide to Greatness
1st I would explain that work-life balance does not mean 9-5 at work and then family. Work-life balance is a flow and ever changing. Sometimes, work needs more attention, and sometimes, family needs more attention. Also, everyone's work-life balance is different. Then, I would ask open ended questions to ascertain why they feel they have a work-life balance issue in the first place. I have found that, most of the time, there is no "real" issue or a very small issue - it is only the perception and society and media telling us there is something wrong with us, with how we manage our life and business, when in fact, there is nothing "wrong." Dealing with the underlying beliefs is the key to overcoming this issue.
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The fourth step is to help your client choose and commit to the best option for them. Ask your client to select one or more actions that they are willing and able to implement, and define the specific steps, timeline, and resources needed. Then, ask them to state their commitment and motivation, and how they will measure their progress and success. For example, you could ask: "Which option are you going to pursue, and why?" or "How will you know that you have improved your work-life balance?"
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Matthew Crane
Providing skills, training and coaching to the next generation of financial service professionals
For any meaningful change or evolution, commitment and discipline is paramount. I believe we must help clients select a path aligned with their values. Collaboratively define clear steps and realistic timelines. Encourage them to delve into their motivation, fuelling their commitment. Establish measurable benchmarks, facilitating progress tracking. With your guidance, their journey towards balance gains purpose and direction. With purposeful commitment, the journey towards a balanced life gains momentum and through sustained repetition, becomes habitual.
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Marissa Joy Weeks
Corporate Escape Plans 🤫 Launch a high-ticket coaching or consulting business in 60 days with at least 1 paying client or your money back. No prior coaching/consulting experience needed. 🙌 Learn More ⬇️
"Why did you choose this one thing?" "How will you know when you've completed it?" "How will you reward yourself?" Connecting the action with the why and encouraging some positive reinforcement will advance the desire to take the action they've chosen.
The fifth step is to support your client in executing their plan and overcoming any obstacles. Ask your client to report on their actions, results, and challenges, and provide feedback, encouragement, and accountability. Help your client adjust their plan as needed, and celebrate their achievements and learning. For example, you could ask: "How did you implement your action this week, and what did you learn?" or "What are some of the difficulties you faced, and how did you overcome them?"
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Paul Turner
🔓 Unlocking Potential | 🧠 NLP Master Practitioner | 🚧 I help Solopreneurs remove blocks & take control of their own brain to program themselves for success |🎙️Podcaster & Entrepreneur | 🖳 Retro Computer Lover
Having a plan broken down into sequenced bite-sized chunks all laid out makes it easy to check progress. Remember planes and ships don't go in straight lines - they constantly readjust their course as the wind and tides aim to move them. Same with any issue - keep adjusting as required and celebrate the wins.
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Marissa Joy Weeks
Corporate Escape Plans 🤫 Launch a high-ticket coaching or consulting business in 60 days with at least 1 paying client or your money back. No prior coaching/consulting experience needed. 🙌 Learn More ⬇️
"What are we celebrating this week?" Always start the coaching call on a positive note to ensure the coaching call itself is a reward. If the coaching client struggles to find a reason to celebrate, remind them that they showed up to the call, which means they didn't give up. That's something. Then ask "what fears or frustrations surfaced this week?" "Why do you think this came up for you?" "Do you think these beliefs are true?" "How do you know?" "Is it possible that they are not true?" "Is it possible that the opposite is true?" "Which way of thinking feels more empowering?" "Do you prefer the feeling of empowerment?" "Can you choose which way you think?" Help people realize their feelings aren't facts, and that they can change them.
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The final step is to review the outcome of the coaching process and evaluate the impact on your client's work-life balance. Ask your client to reflect on their initial situation, goals, and expectations, and compare them with their current state, results, and satisfaction. Help your client identify the key factors that contributed to their success or failure, and the lessons and insights they gained. For example, you could ask: "How do you feel about your work-life balance now, and how has it changed?" or "What are some of the best practices or tips you would share with others who struggle with work-life balance?"
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Santosh Kumar Bhoda
Founder at BSMA Enterprises | Championing Geospatial & BIM Solutions | Educator & Mentor | Partnering with Organizations & Academic Institutions for a Brighter Geospatial Future
After a set period, review the outcomes with them. Evaluate what's working and what isn't, and make adjustments as necessary. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and encourage them to learn from any setbacks.
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Zara Kaisare Morghade
LinkedIn Top Voice ll Director - Human Resources @ Parkar Digital ll Certified POSH Trainer ll CPD HRCI SHRM ISO Certified ll Coach ll Ex-TCS
Visualisation technique is one of the best tools in my experience. First, create a calm environment and help your client define their goals for achieving work-life balance. Then, introduce visualisation as a way to create a mental image of their ideal scenario. Guide your client through a visualisation exercise where they imagine themselves in a state of balance and harmony between work and personal life. Encourage them to engage their senses and explore the emotions associated with this scenario. Finally, teach them to anchor their visualisation experience to help reinforce their desired work-life balance. Visualisation techniques help clients gain clarity, motivation, and a sense of direction to achieve their goals.
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Ky Teasdale
Business & Executive Coach
One of my lessons from client experiences on this one is that 'Work-Life-Balance' is a mess of social expectations. Some people are happier with work being a priority over home life. One client adjusted herself to work only within 9-5 and did not check messages outside of this. Two months later she was miserable and began to resent both work and home! She now spends about 10 hours per day focused on work and is far happier than ever.
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