You may recall a post a while back where I talked about the fact that I wanted to lose a bit of weight. All of this sitting behind a computer has resulted in weight gain and it got to the point that I needed to do something about it. I’ve messed around with it now for about 6 months and finally came to an a-ha moment last week. You’ll probably recognise this in your clients and you too.

We set goals, whether they are personal or business/work and endeavour to go all out to get them. After a while the allure of the end goal wears off. We realise we have to put the work in to make those goals happen and the goal loses its appeal.

When we talk about weight loss we talk about willpower. I don’t think it’s just about willpower at all, I think it’s about willingness.

My a-ha moment was simple. I wanted the weight loss, but I wasn’t willing enough to put the effort in. Truthfully, I was tired of having yet another goal that I was setting myself to achieve.  I’d viewed it as another thing to do on my to-do list instead of making it fun to take better care of myself. Half-heartedly working on it wasn’t working, something needed to change.

Want vs willing

I could sit there each week wanting and resolving to do better but unless I was willing to put the effort in nothing would change.

The same theory relates to business. I speak to coaches on a daily basis and you can tell the ones that are willing to put the effort in to make their businesses work and those that aren’t.

The sad truth is that a lot of coaches don’t make it in business. It’s not because they aren’t amazing coaches. They set out with the best intentions, but they aren’t willing to go all out to build their businesses. They aren’t always willing to compromise on some things to make their goal happen. They aren’t willing to put in the time, energy and effort to make it happen. They aren’t willing to invest in themselves to move their businesses forward quickly so they stay stuck for a long time, making little or no progress.

Building a business takes time. There used to be a phrase that if you were still in business at 2 years you’d probably make it. When you hit 3 years then you should find that things are then ticking over nicely. If we use that as a guide are you willing to commit 2 years initially to building your business?

I had a client once tell me that I put others to shame where I was always doing something on my business. I make no apologies for that. When I get a goal I go all out on it to make it happen, that’s my style. I want to know that I have given everything in life my 100% commitment and best shot. That includes my fabulous business (and my weight!)

So if you’re telling yourself you want to run a coaching business answer this question – How willing are you to make that happen? Let me know in the comments below.

(Ps – I’m sure I’ll get asked if I don’t say this… Yes, I’m now willing to do something about my weight and I am taking action!)

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I’ve been having some amazing conversations with business owners this past week or so in my new Crack-It Sessions. They are laser focused sessions helping you to work on one thing you’re stuck with. I’m running them 10 at a time. They’ve been incredibly popular, so much so I’ve just sold out again. The price will increase, I just happen to be feeling quite generous right now, it must be the lovely sunshine we’ve been having. If you’d like some help then add your name to my waiting list and you can grab a spot for yourself on the next round.

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On a final note – have you been listening to my weekly podcast show? This week, Episode 009, I talked about what to do when people want to negotiate.

Listen on iTunes

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