Watching for and Avoiding Burnout - By: Wade Gilbert
Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season. Provided by: Human Kinetics
Coaches sometimes joke that there are only two times when they feel stressed day and night. Although that story represents the extreme case, certainly all coaches experience moments where they question their decision to coach. In addition, perceived or real pressures to win can easily cause coaches to feel burned out.
Burnout has long been recognized as an occupational hazard for coaches. Burnout is generally defined as withdrawal from an activity because of physical and emotional exhaustion. Signs of burnout include loss of interest, depression, and increased anxiety. Coaches experience burnout when they become unable to cope with the stress of coaching or organizing there team.
Coaches by nature are competitive people who strive to win. But the constant pressure, both self-induced and brought by others who follow the coach, will lead to burnout and somtimes health issues for coaches who don't learn how to cope effectively with the stresses of coaching.
A coach who does not cope well with stress has a negative effect on her or his athletes. When a coach shows up with low energy or depressed, athletes notice. Their ability to learn and perform declines, and team culture diminishes. Moreover, because they are not able to give 100 percent to their coaching, emotionally exhausted coaches are perceived by their athletes to be less effective teachers and to give less praise.
To combat coaching stress and prevent burnout, coaches need to be aware of the common stressors that can plague them. Five major sources of stress and burnout can affect coaches: (1) communication and conflict, (2) pressure and expectations, (3) athlete discipline and team dynamics, (4) program support and isolation, and (5) sacrificing personal time.
The off-season is the ideal time for coaches to pause and reflect on how well they are handling these common sources of stress and burnout.
Your motivation and confidence as a coach is strongly linked to how well you handle coaching stress. Coaches who believe that they are meant to coach and who coach because they love the game are said to be intrinsically motivated. Coaches with high intrinsic motivation and confidence in their ability as coaches are more resilient.
Resilient coaches have what is known as a hardy personality. Coaches who demonstrate hardiness are more committed to their work, feel confident and in control, and view unexpected setbacks as challenges rather than threats. When coaches succumb to stress, their passion for coaching drains away and their hardiness weakens. Although coaches need strategies for recharging and coping with stress at all times throughout the year, the off-season presents a unique time for coaches to reflect, recover and recharge.
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