I’ve been self-employed for a little over two years and I’ve hired two coaches in this timeframe for two very specific purposes. The first, to successfully establish my business and the second, to grow into a new area of practice. Both times I sought someone I admired, someone who had achieved success in the field, and someone with whom I had a personal connection. And both times my goals scared me (who am I kidding, they still do).
My first coach helped me get established in business and navigate the flood of “firsts” that come with self-employment.
- First prospect meeting
- First scope of work
- First proposal for services
- First contract for services
- First rejection
- First client
- First subcontractor
- First partnership
- First time firing a client…
The list goes on. It was hands down the best investment I’ve made in the business to date. My coach was an experienced independent grant writer and she me sheparded me through the launch and first year of business. She stood by me through necessary but scary and challenging conversations, reminding me of my purpose and giving me courage not to chicken out. The result? I launched quickly and found solid ground as a business owner. I built reliable and effective processes to sustain me and my work, and I set and crushed goals.
With a solid framework in place, I chose to discontinue coaching in year two of my business and used my professional development dollars to invest in a once in a lifetime opportunity to become a Dare to Lead™ Certified Trainer and meet my idol, Dr. Brené Brown. This life changing experience planted in me a new dream, one to not only support nonprofits in the good work they do, but to help the people that run them create healthier and more innovative environments. With this new goal came a new need for coaching support. I was entering a practice filled with accomplished and impressive leadership and organization development professionals. (You can read about the star studded line-up of Dare to Lead™ certified facilitators here).
I sought out a new coach. I wanted to find someone established in the Leadership and Organization Development field as well as Dare to Lead™ certified. When I found the perfect match we tackled the most critical element of my growth: confidence and perspective. We clarified my purpose, reframed some internal messages that were holding me back, and went headfirst into the arena. It’s been rough at times, but because I know where I’m going and why I’m doing this, I have no regrets. These coaches helped me choose courage over comfort and the results are indisputable.
Coaching requires an investment of your time and money, and the willingness to get very uncomfortable to achieve your goals. If you are ready to embark on a new chapter of change and growth, I highly recommend hiring a coach to guide you through this process. You will still be scared, but you’ll have the guidance, wisdom and encouragement you need to keep going despite your fear.