A question I hear often from established coaches is: how do you stay present for your clients when your practice is so busy?
At face value, this is a question about time management and productivity, but I sense it goes deeper than that. What they are really asking is: how can I look after my clients when my energy is overstretched?
Our equilibrium, our wellbeing, our spaciousness, is fundamental to how we show up for our clients. We cannot offer our full presence if we feel depleted or distracted. However, this isn’t something which we can switch on five minutes before a session; mastering presence isn’t a technique, it’s a way of being. This is why we must learn to resource ourselves.
Resourcing yourself is a professional responsibility
There is an unspoken assumption in coaching that busyness equals success, but sometimes the best thing we can do for our clients is create space to take care of ourselves. Part of the work of coaching is knowing our limits and how much work we can manage. Some coaches thrive on back-to-back sessions, but for others, this may feel overwhelming.
Personally, I need to integrate spaciousness into my day. By this, I mean more than having some free time. It’s that feeling that I’m not being rushed from one thing to the next, that I have space to be in the moment, which allows my creativity to flow. Otherwise, I wouldn’t feel fully engaged, and I know that creativity is one of my coaching strengths. I can still coach when I’m not fully resourced, but something is missing.
As coaches, the biggest asset we can bring to our clients is our full selves. That’s why intentional resourcing is so important, especially for coaches on the journey toward mastery.
What resourcing means and how to find it
There is no single approach to resourcing. It’s about deeply understanding yourself so that you know where your energy comes from, and what drains it.
For me, movement is essential. That powerful connection between my muscles and my brain enhances my thinking and creativity. When I incorporate movement and activity into my life, it allows me to show up differently.
I also maintain what I would call a centering practice – not necessarily meditation – it could be something as simple as checking in with myself to establish where I am. Where are my energies? What do I need? How do I feel right now? This is something I do regularly to train the inner capacity I need for client sessions so that I don’t need to do this right before a session starts.
There are many ways to resource and replenish ourselves: adequate sleep, music, nutrition, gardening, and making time for what and who we love (and these are only some examples). Choose whatever brings you joy and energy. By doing this, you are not indulging yourself; you are building the foundations from which your best coaching emerges.
Boundaries are the structure that makes it possible
A big part of this depends on boundaries.
Boundaries are a form of self-care which protects our time and energy. They are the non-negotiables that prevent us from overcommitting and allow us to say ‘no’. In coaching this might look like establishing capacity limits on your schedule so that you don’t burnout, or carving out time for your reenergising activities.
Boundaries also mean being mindful about your client relationships. Some clients will resonate very deeply with you. The work will feel energising and stretch you in a way that feels good and naturally inspires your curiosity. Others – and sometimes we have to acknowledge this – may not be the right fit. This isn’t because the clients are difficult, but because the dynamic might be for us. Reflecting deeply on these cases ensures we maintain our professional integrity. If the energy between you and a client feels forced, if you are not able to serve them well, a thoughtful referral might be for the best.
What to do in the moment to resource yourself
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can find ourselves ‘unresourced’ when we are about to start a session.
What then?
There are levels to this. If you genuinely cannot show up for the client, reschedule. This is rare, but coaches are human too and sometimes we need to be honest about our circumstances.
More commonly, things are not this dramatic. I might feel a bit tired or distracted after a busy morning, but often I just need a reset.
One of the ways I achieve this is through music. I choose something with the vibe I need, whether that is something energetic or calming. Other times, a herbal tea has an immediate grounding effect.
For you, it could be a sensory experience, like looking outside at nature or listening to birds. I also know colleagues who use travel videos or photographs of their families to shift their mental states. It is simply about knowing what works for you and having it nearby when you need it.
The shift that sustains busy coaches
What I hope you take away from this is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer here.
The coaches who sustain themselves over long careers understand that resourcing is about being, not doing.
They don’t measure success in sessions. They don’t push themselves to exhaustion. They nourish themselves and tune into their needs, noticing when their energy shifts and practicing consistent self-care.
This process can be difficult if you are accustomed to neglecting your own needs and boundaries. In this case, I encourage you to work with a supervisor. They become your rudder, gently supporting you to notice your energy levels so you can correct your course when you need to.
Connecting with the right people is very energising. Ask yourself who is supporting your journey? Cultivate relationships with coaches and other people around you who bring you alive. Both you and your clients deserve the coaching that comes from your best self.
If you are a PCC exploring what it means to coach from a deeper, more sustainable place, I invite you to discover Mastery in Coaching — my ICF-accredited Level 3 programme. We go beyond technique into the qualities that make coaching transformational: presence, creativity, and authentic self-expression.
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