When I tell people I’m a business coach, one of the questions I most often get is:
“How do I know I’m ready for a business coach?”
Some people still think about coaching as a remedial option—their business isn’t working, so they need a coach to get it back on track. That is sometimes true, but it doesn’t acknowledge the full spectrum of situations where a coach can help. There are several signs you’re ready to hire a coach, and in this article, we’ll look at five of them.
#1: Your business is working
The best coaching is with people who have already experienced some level of success and are ready to grow their business at an unprecedented rate. This runs counter to the notion above, which is that coaching is a remedial option. Some people who are successful think, “If I’m succeeding, why should I bother hiring a coach?”
Here’s an analogy I use with my clients: the time to add more fuel to a fire is when it’s already burning brightly. Tom Brady has won six Super Bowl rings—do you think he’s stopped using a coach? Of course not! To reach greater heights, coaching becomes more important than ever. So, although it may seem counterintuitive, success is an indicator you’re ready for coaching to help propel you to the next level.
#2: You’re committed to your own success
Great coaching requires a commitment from the coach and the client. Both parties must be committed to the big goals of the client. If you’re not ready to make that commitment, you’re not ready for coaching. Now, you don’t necessarily have to know what those goals are right now. That’s part of the coaching process. But once you discover those goals, you’ve got to be all-in. Most (successful) entrepreneurs and business people I know are willing to commit to that, otherwise they wouldn’t be in the position they’re in now.
A great coach won’t let you “play small” with your goals. They will help you clarify the authentic dreams that got you into business in the first place.
Of course, we all want to add another six figures of new revenue to our business, but what will that allow to you do in your life? Does that give you more time, space, or energy? Does it allow you to help more people or gain more recognition as a thought leader? This is important because at the end of the day real satisfaction comes from achieving these big dreams and it usually is more than just a dollar amount.
#3: You sense deep down that there’s more
Your business is gaining traction, but in the back of your mind, you know you could make a bigger impact. There’s something more you could be doing to leave a mark on the world and be a benefit to people. So many of my clients come to me and say, “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know that I’m meant for something bigger.” As their coach, we’ll explore that feeling together to figure out the legacy they want to leave.
If you have that same type of feeling, a coach can help you fill in the blanks.
#4: You’re ready to reclaim your time
For many entrepreneurs, their level of monetary success is directly tied to their contribution of time. Yes, they doubled their revenue, but they’re also staying in the office until 10 PM every night. Or, they’re so bogged down with tactical work that they can’t lift their head up to spot some of the biggest opportunities for their business.
These entrepreneurs know they need some kind of system—whether it’s delegating, outsourcing, or implementing the 80/20 rule to focus on what’s most important—but they don’t have the time or space to do it. This is where some of the best coaching happens. Impactful coaches create the space for their clients to examine their business from a high-level, strategic perspective. Then, from that viewpoint, design systems that allow the client to reclaim their time and use it on strategic matters, not just tactical work.
#5: You love helping others
The most successful people I work with are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of others. Yes, they’re excited by the idea of scaling up their business, generating more revenue, and gaining more recognition. But what fires them up the most is helping their clients through their product or service. It’s not about making a quick buck. They believe their product or service can be a benefit in people’s lives. If the idea of multiplying your impact lights you up inside, you're ready for a coach.