The 5 Big Differences that Divide Coaches Who go on to make an Impact to those that Give up.

It is at the early stage post qualification, that often determines the direction of a coach. It's all in the mindset that sits behind the actions. Like an iceberg, the main part is underwater, unseen.

The hard reality at the start of becoming a coach, is described in red. The healthy approach then follows in green italics;

Why am I not getting coaching clients?

Contrary to prior belief, the clients don't "just come" and when that happens, you invest more in advertising. You hire a graphic designer, and put your ad in the local newssheet. Perhaps you get a few phone calls. Which are more difficult than you thought they would be. You begin to doubt yourself. You may get one or two client but it doesn't quite pay for all the advertising.

Right. Clients don't just come. It requires you to be proactive and let people know about what you do. Once you do show up to your people, they will gravitate to you thirstily. So it requires you showing up in the right place where your people are found.

This does not necessarily cost money and need not take the form of official "advertising" With 80/20 thought you can reach your target market effectively without significant outlay.

What if my clients don't get results?

Then you doubt your ability to bring the desired result to your client. You are, as of now, quite inexperienced in coaching and the client comes in desperate and even a little impatient and anxious to get the results - now! You wonder, "Maybe I'm not such a great coach, after all"

Please allow this time whilst serving your first 10 clients to be a curious learning experience. Reflect after each coaching session. Without judgement. You will gain so much wisdom and right here in these first sessions, this is precisely you gaining experience. Before you know it, you will realise you have experience.

When questions come up, instead of feeling "Oh no, help, how do I deal with this? Which of the techniques and tools do I use here?" You can enjoy the opportunity to do some more research, or ask your teacher with whom you qualified, or buy a book on the subject. This is the road to becoming an expert in your field

How do I Deal With a Difficult Client?

Then you have a "difficult" client. One you do not enjoy working with. You begin to think maybe you don't enjoy this coaching and how can you get more of the ideal clients. You want to give up on this client but wonder how you will not fall into the same trap next time.

At the beginning, the best path forward is say yes as much as possible, welcoming any client that comes your way. Once you have served 10 clients you will then be clear about who is the ideal client for you and you can begin to detect the red lights that are not a good fit for you. Through the experience of serving clients that come your way, you are able to tweak your marketing so that you are attracting potential ideal clients. The words you use, will repel those that your service will not work for, and magnetise those that are the right fit for your service. In conclusion, welcome all clients at the beginning; nothing else will give you the expertise. It's about graduating from the theory and actually getting in the driver's seat. This is how we learn to drive.

Clients Can't Meet in my Scheduled Work Hours

You struggle to get clients who you can work with in your preferred times. You are tempted to turn them down in favour of you working in the time you have set aside for coaching.

True, you want to serve in the timings that work for you. However, if these are the clients that have been sent your way now, I believe the practice is of priority and it is worth thinking of a way to accommodate their timing. Further down the line, you will be able to set your fixed preferred time. The value of gaining experience and of potential positive reviews override a little temporary inconvenience.

How do I Make Time For My Coaching Business While Working

Also how do you manage your full life and your day job, which you need to continue. You want to give up, dejected that this coaching thing is not working in the way you'd hoped; it does not ensure secure income and your day job takes priority for the here and now.

At this point you will be squeezing clients into your already full schedule. But let's do this. You will also want to look at how much time, energy and head space your day job is taking up for you and see how you may be able to tweak that, and reduce it slowly. Each day, aim to do one microscopic act towards your vision as a coach. For now, it does not require regular time blocks.

Conclusion;

Stay consistent, stay curious.

You cannot fail, only learn.

"Success is inevitable unless you stop"

If you resonate with the above, I invite you to an exclusive free event. Tuesday November 5th, you will hear from leaders in the industry, and real life experiences from coaches just like you. See here for all the details, or here is the raw link

petalscoaching.co/summit

In this summit, we are going to explore how to deal with the fears, owning your personal power as a coach, how to balance coaching with your already full family life, and so much more!

You can check it all out here

Right after Succos, the time is ripe and ready for you to go forward in your coaching with energy and drive. The summit will charge you with pump, drive and passion.

See it all here and I can't wait to see you on the inside.