Introduction:
I do not take growing a thriving coaching business for granted.
I meet, train and coach lots of coaches who are struggling or feel stuck trying to start a coaching business.
I want you to know that struggling and feeling stuck is very normal.
For me, building a financially and emotionally sustaining coaching business was a journey filled with lots of learning curves.
Here’s a few things I wish I had known right up front about starting a coaching business.
Hopefully, my experience might smooth the path for those of you just starting out.
Insight One: It’s Overwhelming!
Stepping into the world of starting a coaching business, the first insight I wish I’d grasped earlier is how overwhelming it is.
Initially, I set a goal to secure five new clients within a month—a daunting task!
The myriad steps required in launching a business contributed to a significant sense of overwhelm, which, for a time, left me more concerned with worry than action.
However, I learned the importance of calming down and taking one step at a time.
Plus, the bombardment of well-meaning advice only led to “information indigestion,” which further stifled my progress.
Hiring a coach who guided me with a focused approach changed everything.
By following her recommendations, I not only moved past my paralysis but began attracting clients, showing me the power of dedicated mentorship and the value of pacing oneself.
Insight Two: Self-Doubts are to be Expected
Another pivotal piece of wisdom on my journey was understanding that self-doubt doesn’t equate to incompetence.
As a new coach, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that you must be perfect post-certification.
However, the truth is, perfection is unattainable in any field.
During my university years, I experienced a profound shift in perspective when I questioned the actual impact of receiving a B instead of an A—would it truly alter my worth or life’s path?
This epiphany allowed me to approach my work with less pressure, resulting in better outcomes with fewer hours of labor.
For those feeling the weight of self-doubt, remember that being “good enough” most of the time is not only acceptable but realistic and human.
Insight Three: Needed to Connect with My Why More Often
One of the most transformative realizations was the importance of continuously connecting with my core motivation—the ‘why’ behind my decision to start coaching in the first place.
A few months into my business, I hit a low point with dwindling clients and increasing despair.
This negative mindset mirrored in my business as both current and prospective clients started leaving.
After reevaluating my focus, shifting from what was lacking to why I began coaching in the first place—my passion for helping others and living my values—my business began to thrive again.
The energy shift was palpable, and soon, clients old and new were filling up my calendar.
This experience underscored the power of mindset and intent in overcoming business hurdles.
To this day, when I see my calendar thining out, I know I’m not in a good mindset.
Usually I am focusing on what I don’t like about my business instead of what I love about it.
When I shift to my love and my why…the calendar fills up.
Conclusion:
Striving towards creating a successful coaching business is a path filled with insights and growth.
Looking back, I am profoundly grateful for the lessons that have shaped my journey.
And I hope my insights in this blog can help you in some way.