Dabbler or Go-Getter: Your Coaching Journey
Coaching can be a fulfilling career, but it requires more than just passion to thrive. Are you merely dabbling in your coaching business, or are you taking the necessary steps to truly grow and succeed? Many coaches believe they’re doing what’s needed, yet find themselves stuck in the same place. Let’s explore some keys to help you identify where you stand and how you can boost your coaching career.
1. Prioritize Consistency Over Motivation
You might be a dabbler if you only work on your coaching business when you feel motivated or when you have spare time. Consistency is the backbone of a successful coaching practice. It’s about showing up and doing the work, even when you don’t feel like it. Daniel points out, “If you’re not intentional about doing the things that your coaching business requires, you’re never going to get the momentum you crave.”
Application Tip: Schedule regular time each week dedicated solely to your coaching business. Treat it like any other important appointment you can’t miss.
2. Master Your Coaching Niche
It’s tempting to say you can coach everyone, but this approach often leads to ineffective marketing and unclear messaging. Sheri explains that when you’re starting out, it’s essential to define and master your niche, so your efforts aren’t too dispersed. “Your efforts at marketing, your efforts at trying to find clients, are so diffuse that doesn’t actually work” she notes.
Application Tip: Take time to learn and identify who you serve best. Understand their pain points and how you can uniquely help them. This focus will make your marketing efforts more targeted and effective.
3. Conquer the Sales Conversation
If the thought of selling your coaching services makes you sweat, you might be a dabbler. Mastering the art of selling is crucial for building a sustainable business. Sheri shares, “Sales doesn’t have to be about being pushy. It’s about having genuine conversations that help potential clients see the value you offer.”
Application Tip: Reframe your sales conversations as coaching opportunities. Focus on the client’s needs and how your services can address them. This shift can make selling feel more natural and less intimidating.
4. Invest in Your Coaching Growth
Relying solely on free resources might indicate you’re not fully committed to growing your coaching business. Investing in premium training opportunities and mentorship can accelerate your growth and open new opportunities. Daniel emphasizes, “Are you investing those things—time, energy, money—into your own development as a coach?”
Application Tip: Allocate a portion of your income to professional development. Whether it’s joining a community like CMC, attending workshops, or hiring a coach, these investments can pay off significantly. You don’t need to overinvest, but beware of the risks of underinvesting too!
Stay Committed to Your Coaching Vision
Being a successful coach requires dedication, a clear vision, and a commitment to continuous growth. By focusing on consistency, mastering your niche, conquering sales, and investing in yourself, you can transition from dabbling to doing and building your coaching practice.
Are you making strategic moves toward your coaching goals, or are you trapped in the cycle of dabbling? Reply with a comment or question to share your thoughts.
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Keep Coaching,
Daniel & Faisal
Co-Hosts of The Coaches Journey Podcast