It crossed my mind that I've not just hired one coach this year, but four. Four business coaches.
I have a coach for DIY PR, brand building, marketing and social media.
When I launched my first company at 23, I thought I didn't need a coach. I knew I could figure everything out via trial, error and research. And I did that for a while, puttering along.
The reality of hiring a coach is that you're paying someone that is better than you at a specific skill to help you navigate avoidable disasters. The path to success doesn't have to be painful. There will be challenges, but why should you struggle for a decade to make six figures, when you can hire someone that has experience to lead you to make six figures in a year?
Hiring coaches, listening to podcasts, reading books are all investments in yourself. You're investing time and money to improve yourself. Working with a coach adds an element of accountability, which lights a fire under your tail.
Here are the 5 reasons why you need a coach:
1. Coaches tell you when to remove your head from your arse
Yes, I said it. Being an entrepreneur and building a business can be very ego driven. We put our blood, sweat and tears into our businesses every day. This often leads us to see our company in a certain light. Having a no-nonsense coach is excellent when you have a problem that needs solving and you think there's only one way to do it. Shut up, listen and do what your coach says. That is the reason that you've hired them.
2. Coaches inspire you to go further and do more
Only 6% of entrepreneurs ever reach 6 figures. My PR coach made 6 figures her first year in business. Do you know how fired up that makes me? I know because she did it, I can do it. Coaches take their experiences, good and bad, distill them and pass on their lessons to you. If you listen to a successful coach, you're one step closer to attaining your goals.
3. Coaches push you to become a better you
Think of it as hiring a personal trainer. Instead of making your body stronger, you're making your business stronger. You're paying someone to tell you to keep going. Your coach will push you to finish those 3 last three business push ups. We all need someone telling us to be like Nike and just do it.
4. Coaches give you a game plan
Would you impulsively decide to run a marathon the night before or would you train for several months? Obviously, you would train for several months. Training is essential to business success. Starting a company isn't as simple as having an idea and releasing it into the world. You need a strong foundation to build your business on. When you're neck deep in your idea it's hard to create a foundation and systems. That's where your coach comes in.
5. Coaches give you a set of success tools
Sometimes those tools are as simple as telling you to write down 5 things you are grateful for every morning. Sometimes that tool is a set of guides that help you analyze who your ideal audience is, create an avatar which you then build your entire marketing plan around. One of the best pieces of advice I have ever gotten from a coach was to be selfish. If I don't carve out time to take care of myself first thing everyday, who else will? Yes, you're paying a coach to help you with a certain skill set, but always pay attention. You never know what jewels they will share that can change your life.
What's holding you back from hiring a coach?