Pre-Flight Check-In:
Your CFI Burnout Barometer
You brief every lesson before you brief your student. But how often do you check in with the instructor in the right seat? Use this quick scale to see where you're flying before burnout costs you your patience, your students, or your love of teaching.
This tool is a self-reflection exercise, not a clinical or diagnostic instrument. It does not provide a mental health diagnosis, medical advice, or a substitute for care from a licensed professional. It's simply a frame of reference for checking in with yourself.
| Zone | Level | Description | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | Clear Skies | You're patient, present, and energized in the right seat. | Keep your current habits and do a weekly check-in with yourself. |
| Yellow | Mild Turbulence | Early fatigue or short patience is creeping in. | Add recovery breaks between lessons and build in small reset rituals. |
| Orange | High Crosswinds | You're overextended: dreading debriefs, running on fumes. | Simplify your schedule, prioritize rest, and consider reaching out if you want support. |
| Red | Burnout Risk | You're detached from students, resentful, or exhausted. | Pause and reset, and definitely reach out. |
| Black | Crisis / Immediate Risk | Things feel hopeless or unsafe to instruct. | Please seek professional help or call 988 immediately. |
Want This as a Toolkit You Can Keep?
We will email you the practical tools for your zone () so you have them the next time you need them. Just your name and email, nothing else from this check-in.
For each statement, rate how true it's felt this week
Strongly Agree leans Green. Strongly Disagree leans Red / Black. There are no wrong answers, just an honest instrument reading.
1. I've been able to stay patient and present with students, even during repeat mistakes or slow progress.
2. My energy has stayed steady through a full day of lessons, without relying heavily on caffeine to push through.
3. I'm sleeping enough to show up sharp and alert for early or back-to-back lessons.
4. I still feel a sense of purpose and satisfaction after most lessons, even the hard ones.
5. I've been able to separate a student's struggles from my own sense of effectiveness as an instructor.
6. I've stayed engaged and communicative with students and colleagues, rather than going through the motions.
Please rate all 6 statements first.
Optional. If you bring this to a free Discovery Call below, this note comes with you. Otherwise it stays right here.