Last December, I hired a business coach that cost more than the restoration on my ’67 Mustang. With that many zeros going to the end of that check, it was not a decision I took lightly. On the one hand, she was a natural choice. I have been following her for several years, and it was a match for my brand voice and style. On the other hand, all those zeros…
But I needed to make a move. My head and heart were not in agreement on the direction of my business, and I was tired of spinning my wheels and wasting time.
If you’ve ever been there or hit a plateau in any area of your life, hiring a coach is an excellent way to move forward. Here are some ways to know if you are ready:
You are starting to realize that your time is expensive.
Since I started talking about cost, let’s begin there. Cost is tricky, especially if you have a DIY mindset or tend to look at things from a place of scarcity—which is common for many business owners. I struggled with that for years, so I know overcoming it can be challenging but not impossible!
There is nothing wrong with the DIY approach if you are genuinely cash and credit strapped. However, at some point, you must move from bootstrapping to paying for things to use your time better. You cannot grow as long as your business solely depends on you and your time.
Today, when I think about spending money on tools for my business, I’m not only considering the cost compared to the potential growth generated. I am also considering how much of my time it would cost to produce the same results and the number of opportunities I am missing while trying to figure out a new strategy on my own. When I did the math, I couldn’t justify pulling myself in so many directions any longer.
Your goals and skills have changed.
As we grow and gain more experience, we learn new things, develop new skills, and let go of old ways of thinking. Additionally, global market conditions and changing technology force many businesses to transform their operations to survive. So even though our goals might stay the same, the process of achieving them changes over time.
You know that to achieve success over the long haul, you must evolve and adapt, but sometimes it is unclear where or how to start. A coach can look at your skills and goals objectively and help you see where you may be missing opportunities to step up your game. For example, perhaps you started your business as a solopreneur, but now you’re at a place where you can expand and hire employees. This transition requires new skills you may not have.
Your coach can objectively assess your skills and goals and help you identify areas where you may need to let go of patterns that hold you back. For instance, they can assist you in learning to let go of tasks, communicate with your team, and create training that doesn’t feel like a burden—making for a smoother transition than if you had to figure it out on your own.
You’re up to your eyeballs in free content and “steal my system” master classes.
While a wealth of information is available online for free, it can be overwhelming to sift through and determine what is relevant and useful for your business goals. Additionally, many of the so-called “hacks” or shortcuts touted as quick routes to success may not be sustainable or effective in the long term.
Free content and hacks can also be a double-edged sword because they often lack context and may not consider your unique circumstances and skills. Without the guidance of a business coach, you may be tempted to try every new trend or strategy that comes your way without a clear understanding of how it fits into your overall business plan. (Been there, and it’s exhausting!)
When you work with a business coach, you’re gaining access to their expertise and network of resources and contacts. This will help you navigate the noise and confusion with a plan tailored to your needs and goals.
Instead of spending countless hours trying to learn everything on your own, you get a person in your corner who can quickly help you evaluate strategies and options. This will allow you to focus on other areas of your life and business.
You know something is holding you back.
We become our stories.
Limiting beliefs can manifest in various ways and will hold you back in business. Often, we limit ourselves without even realizing it. We may think we’re not good enough, original, or don’t have what it takes to succeed. This thought pattern can keep us from doing the big things necessary to reach the next level.
An openness to new ideas and change is crucial to succeeding in business. Working with a coach can be incredibly helpful in identifying and overcoming the patterned behavior holding you back. A good coach can challenge your assumptions, offer new insights, and help you identify blind spots. They can provide support and guidance to help you navigate difficult situations and solve complex problems so you can go farther faster.
How do you hire the right coach?
You want to find someone who has a proven track record of helping clients achieve the kind of results you’re looking for. Someone that feels like a safe space even when you feel uncomfortable about digging deeper or when you may not like what they say.
It’s ok to look for someone who has undergone their own transformation and can provide you with insights and strategies based on their own experiences. But be wary of coaches who are only in it for the money or don’t have the expertise and knowledge to back up their coaching.
A good coach should be able to provide you with access to their years of experience and expertise, the latest tools and resources, or a network of other successful people. They should also be able to offer you personalized attention and support tailored to your specific needs and goals. However, it is still incumbent upon you to do the work. Star athletes and successful people know hiring a coach is only half the equation. The other half means they must show up and put in time and work. But they also know the rewards are much greater with someone in their corner.
Ultimately, when you’ve made the decision to hire a coach, you’ll feel a sense of excitement and motivation about the future of your business. You’ll feel relieved that you don’t have to go at it alone. And that, my friends, is worth every penny!