Why you should hire a coach

Note from Larissa for Donna… Hey folks, we are so close to releasing our Run Like Clockwork coaching, and more slots have filled in our Profit First coaching program. If you are a new or returning client, consider reaching out for a discovery call! This week, we are discussing why you should seek coaching. I know that as business owners, we are called to reinvent the wheel, but let’s be clear: A wheel is just fine. Let’s focus on reinventing things that need reinventing. 

Running a small business is akin to trying cliff diving for the first time. You’re standing on the edge of an eighty-foot drop and second-guessing every decision you made to get to this point. But you push through the chilling terror, and the second you become airborne, you’re suddenly free. Thirty seconds later, though, and then you’re back to being terrified, and for some reason, when we come back out of the water, we want to do it all over again. The problem for us isn’t the terror of diving, but rather finding a place to do it safely. Finding a relatively safe cliff isn’t an option; it’s necessary, and it’s the same for your business. You need a coach to ensure your relative safety. As someone who has worked closely with professional coaches for over a decade, I have seen firsthand the difference that having that relationship creates. 

Let’s answer the following question together: What does a coach do? In sports and competitions, coaches do two things: They set training schedules and provide insight with their expertise on modifying a team’s approach. Coaches keep their teams accountable and transform players into a well-oiled machine. Most importantly, coaches keep discussions honest and ensure a team’s ego doesn’t get too large. In a business sense, coaches aren’t all too different. A coach keeps you accountable and forces you to critically think about how your business operates. Coaches force you to take an honest look at yourself and your business, and from personal experience, I can tell you that coaches will force you to practice skills you don’t have yet. When I sought out my first coach, my leadership and public speaking skills were weak, and though I cried many times, she pushed me to develop those skills. Now I do public speaking and leadership easily. 

Of course, hiring a coach isn’t just about improving your business skills; it’s also about taking care of yourself. Just like cliff diving, eventually running a small business can burn you out. Coaches have the luxury of an objective perspective and can intervene when stress becomes unmanageable. Many coaches of mine have instructed me to schedule breaks for myself and remember that I am also a mom and person outside of my business. Perhaps the greatest benefit of hiring a coach, though, is the confidence it can instill in you as a business owner. Knowing that someone is in your corner, cheering you on, and offering support can give you the courage to take risks, try new things, and push past your comfort zone. And ultimately, it’s that confidence that will set you apart and propel your business to greater heights. 

So if you're a small business owner feeling overwhelmed or stuck in a rut, I urge you to consider hiring a coach. Trust me, you won't regret it.