Deciding whether to invest in a business coach (or in fact any coach!) can be tricky.  On the one hand, you feel like you need some help with your biz: Things aren't working out the way you want them to and you could really do with someone to come and shake things up a bit. On the other hand, what if they challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone?  What if it doesn't work and you've just wasted your time and money? 

The questions below are designed to help you to work through those thoughts and fears so that you can make a decision that's right for you.  

Nope!

There you go, that was easy...

You see, coaching isn't a necessity.  It just isn't.  I mean, I got through 39 years pretty happily without any coaching at all! What coaching does, is to make things easier and open your eyes to different ways of doing stuff - sometimes even different ways of 'being'.  Good coaching that is.

Think of coaching as your SatNav (unless you're like my Mum, who hates her SatNav because it keeps sending her in the wrong direction!) In this example, we'll assume that both the coaching and the SatNav are good.

So you don't NEED a SatNav to drive somewhere.  You could just get in the car and drive, using the sign posts on the road.  You could dig out your old road atlas..  Both of those methods will get you where you want to go.  What the SatNav does is to get you there more easily.  It may know shortcuts that you're not aware of or wouldn't spot by just reading the road signs.  It can tell you if there's traffic ahead and suggest an alternative route.  It gives you options and opens your eyes to new choices.  It can actually improve your enjoyment of the journey by taking some of that 'I don't know where I'm going' stress out of it.

And so it is with coaching.  

I'm by no means belittling the power of coaching (I AM a business coach after all).  Actually, I think coaching can be game changing. LIFE changing, IF you're working with the right person and IF you're open to that change in the first place. 

So, do you need a business coach? No.  Will working with a coach (the right coach) create a positive change in your life and have a massive impact on your business? YES.

It's good to know the difference.  Pretty frustrating to invest in coaching when what you actually want is for someone to help you write better emails for example.

You see, a consultant is there to show you or tell you how to do something.  A coach is there to help you find your own answers and your own way.

A great coach will be able to help you identify what you need - even if you're not sure yourself!  So often, we think we just need someone to tell us what to do, but what we really need is someone to help us know what we want in the first place. 

By the way, as I have both practical business and coaching experience, I offer a healthy mix of the two in my coaching packages. 

The point of coaching is to create change - whether that be in how your manage your business or your whole mindset.  Creating a big change takes commitment.  It's not easy - it SHOULDN'T be easy.  The best achievements in life are those that you struggle for, that take work.

A good business coach will CHALLENGE you.  They will have high expectations of you.  It might sometimes feel uncomfortable.  They might ask things of you that feel scary and out of your comfort zone.

That's how change happens.

Are you ready?

Not only will coaching be challenging but it will require financial investment.  Essentially, you're investing in yourself and the results you want to achieve in your business - and life. The investment may often feel uncomfortable, even a little scary - but guess what? That's going to help you to take action so that you can see a return on that investment and the money going back into your account as soon as possible!  If you're happy to invest a slightly scary amount in coaching, it's a sign of commitment to the changes you want to make.  A great coaching relationship is rich and rewarding - with those rewards far outweighing any fee you pay.

If you feel doubtful then pause and make sure this is absolutely what you want.  Don't ever feel bullied or lambasted (great word right?!) into signing up with a coach when you're not ready or if you don't feel like they're a good fit.  You'll just end up feeling bitter and regretful and that is NOT the basis of a good coaching relationship.

One of the first things that your coach will ask you is what goals you have for your sessions with them.  What do you hope to achieve? What are your expectations?

This person is there to SERVE you. To help you get your dreams. Tell them everything you want - even if it sounds impossible or too big.  Even if your inner voice is screaming 'you could never have that' or 'you could never do that'.  Tell them! 

Picture yourself doing and achieving ALL of those things.  Tell them what you see, what you feel, how your relationships would change, how your own self-esteem would change.  Be open. Be honest and let your coach help you to make your dreams come true.

Afterall, life's too short not to spend it doing the things that you love! 😉