My business and I needed a good kick up the you-know-what, some tough love. This is why.

I lost direction 

I love positive feedback, especially from those in the Flying Solo community. The encouragement I receive from people I respect is invaluable, but unfortunately I lost direction and wasn’t moving forward. 

I needed tasks with deadlines and I needed outcomes that would support the vision for my business, rather than simply doing my favourite tasks. 

I changed, and not for the better! 

Not so long ago I was a ‘completer finisher’ with obsessive attention to detail. Since running my business though, I have changed. I found that I kept generating ideas but there wasn’t much actual business going on, let alone selling. As my business coach pointed out to me, about 85 percent of what I was doing was creating. I needed to narrow my focus and concentrate on what would bring results for my business, I needed to channel my inner completer-finisher again. 

I needed objective guidance 

I’ve loved creating my business, but being so personally invested has meant that it’s hard to make tough decisions. I needed a trusted, impartial advisor who could cut through the emotion and help me make the right decisions. 

Help me take action 

I remember thinking when I started my business that coaches aren’t necessary, however, while I understood what I should be doing in theory, I wasn’t capable of applying it effectively to my business. I needed someone to help me take action. 

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A global perspective 

In business we are exposed to the opinions and advice of our families, friends, business connections and various experts. Some of their opinions are valid, but the problem is that they most likely don’t understand your entire business, your vision and your goals. 

The difference between a coach and everyone else is that they are looking at your business from a more global perspective, they know where you are now and what you’re aiming for, and it’s their job to help you get there. 

Want a coach? 

You may have heard a horror story or two about business coaches, so choose carefully. My advice is to find someone you feel comfortable with so that your relationship will survive. 

Get a referral, or if you have trust issues like me, take baby steps. I followed my preferred coach on social media for a while before participating in a one hour free webinar, and then signed up for an eight week live webinar program. In my view this was an eight week job interview, but in reality she reeled me in. Yes, she’s good. 

Is your business in need of some tough love? If so, find a coach you gel with and get started on your homework. Some tough love will get you back on track. 

Have you worked with a business coach? What prompted you to work with one? Coaches, do you have any advice for those seeking tough love but don’t know where to start?