There are different kinds of
stress—some are good, some are
neutral and some are bad for us
if experienced in the long term.
When focusing on work/life
balance, coaches also need to
keep in mind that stress might
be arising from life at home or
at work.
Research shows that work is
a leading cause of stress for
adults. Consider that 65 percent
of respondents to the American
Psychological Association’s 2012
“Stress in America” survey cited
work as a significant source
of stress in their daily lives.
As coaches, however, we know
that our clients’ performance
and resilience in the workplace
are strongly influenced by the
goings-on in their non-work lives.
It may be helpful to visualize
your client’s day as divided into
three segments: pre-text, context
and recovery. Each of these
segments impacts the other two.
Pre-text
The pre-text—what happens
before the workday begins,
including the morning routine and
daily commute—plays a major
role in determining your client’s
work performance. I have found
that the single most important
element in a client’s pre-text is
the home life, and especially the
family dynamic. On the Social
Readjustment Rating Scale (aka
the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale),
which measures the stress load
carried by an individual, family
dynamics account for eight of the
top-10 stressors.
Techniques clients might use to
boost resilience to stress include:
• Building role distinction.
When at home, clients
should make an effort to
focus on their identity as
partners, spouses and/or
parents instead of bringing
work home.
• Being fully present at work.
Taking personal calls during
the workday c