I can't help but reflect on both of those statements today as I look back on my business and I see how far I've come. Early on a fellow coaching entrepreneur said to me - you'll realize one day that things have switched, you are being called more for business than you're reaching out to find business. And knock on a HUGE piece of wood but that sure feels like what's happened for me in 2014. And I'm just loving how it feels to ride this huge wave, knowing all along the way I might crash or run into a low tide. But for now, it feels damn good.
As I continue to be bombarded with newsletters, workshops, teleclasses etc about "how to grow a successful coaching business" I can't help but ask myself - what caused this turn of events for me? And so I wanted to reflect here for a moment on what I believe have been some key factors as I think it can help anyone through a work or life downturn:
1. Never give up. I got damn close at one point, last summer, but I went inward, did a lot of soul searching and then drank my own koolaid and hired back my old coach. I just knew that this whole time I've worked too hard and more importantly that the vision I hold for my company is needed out in the world. In the end I just couldn't give up as I wouldn't be just letting down myself but I'd be letting down all the good people in the world who's lives I know I can impact for the better.
2. Keep my cup FULL. Some of the most powerful work I did with my coach was recognizing what led me to the low place that I found myself in. And it's when I started to let fear and desperation of paying the bills guide me vs my own passion, instincts and optimism. And moreover, I stopped doing the things that I love. I had a story in my mind that "I can't spend time/money on fun until I'm making enough money to pay the bills" (I have a boomer dad to thank for that :) And it wasn't until I was able to recognize what was driving / informing my belief system (how I was raised) that I was able to work on shifting that into my own authentic belief - which is living a life of abundance in ALL areas, not just career / money. Big revelation for me which then allowed me to re-focus my decisions and also remind myself - who said having fun has to "cost money"?!
3. Engage vs Communicate. What does that mean? Well I've shifted from the mindset of email outreach and cold calls etc to instead: who can I engage in a conversation, in person ideally? And in that conversation how can I bring all of my coaching strengths to play (presence, listening skills, powerful questions) while still coming across as natural, positive and authentic - coming across as ME. I keep this goal front and center - asking myself often, how many conversations have I had today? And in doing so, remembering one of my own core tenants that "a brand is the promise of an experience" well, guess what I've learned - so is coaching (duh)! So don't speak to it as a concept, instead engage people with the experience. Good stuff.
So there you have it, top 3 things that I believe have led me to where I am. And feel free to remind me to re-read this list when at some point I'm sure I'll find myself making my way through the low tide as that's part of the journey - highs and lows. But the key to measuring ourselves is how well we move through these moments vs trying to move passed them (which might seem like the easy street at the time but it inevitably creates more, even harder work in the long run).
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