Don’t Be Afraid of Starting a Life Coaching Business. It’s An Amazing Experience!

“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction.” ~ John F. Kennedy

A few years ago, I made a decision that has changed my life and given me so many unexpected benefits. I’ve always been fascinated with the positivity and forward-thinking stance of Life Coaching. So, in 2013, I decided that starting a life coaching business was right for me! I changed my branding, read books and took online courses to get up to speed with this growing field and to feel more confident and competent.

At times, I would feel discouraged and my own inner critic would creep in with statements like: “You were doing just fine, why did you have to go and change things?” Well, that was just fear of the unknown. And no, I wasn’t doing fine, I wasn’t fulfilled anymore. I was just afraid of making the change. 

But in 2016 it happened. My life coaching business really took off! Constantly I’m reminded that I LOVE owning my own life coaching business. With each new connection, I get to fulfill my calling, changing lives and changing the world for the better. Today I’m so excited to be on the board of ICF Oregon as the new director of education/coach mastery.  It is our state chapter of the global ICF (International Coaching Federation) and I’m in charge of the coach education for our members. I never dreamed my path would lead me here!

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own life coaching business, then the following benefits that I enjoy may be enough to convince you that you don’t need to be afraid to start a private practice …

1. Turn your years of experience into a business asset. Age becomes a plus in your favor, not a minus like it is in the competitive corporate world. Specialize in what you know best.
2. Work from home or from anywhere in the world. Technology makes it possible to work with your clients anytime, anywhere.
3. Set your own pace. One possible downside of owning your own business is that you can get a little lazy about sticking to your business routine. But if you create a schedule and stick to it, you’ll find you have a lot of extra time to fulfill other important life pursuits.
4. Earn the income you want. If you’re willing to hustle, you can design streams of income that fulfill your needs and wants. For example, as a coach, your high-end offering may be one-on-one coaching in person or via Zoom. Other streams could be selling your self-published book; hosting fee-based live group coaching, workshops and retreats; setting up do-it-yourself online classes; and presenting paid speaking gigs.
5. Live with meaning. You get to define what’s important. Being your own boss allows you to incorporate ways to give back to your community.
6. Pick the people you work with. There won’t be anyone undermining you or stealing your thunder. What you create is only limited by the boundaries you build. You don’t have to put up with toxic situations.
7. Discover what you’re made of. Your personal growth will be tested in ways that make you a better person. You’ll discover new reserves of resilience, self-discipline and self-confidence as you make your dreams a reality.

“Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” 

Walt Disney

Being a life coach in my own private practice is a way of life that I love. When I began, there wasn’t a lot of information to help me know how to open a private practice and make it successful. So I began my own journey of discovery. Today’s there’s so much information online, that a person doesn’t know where or how to start! I can help you sort through it all and pick the pieces that will keep you moving forward.

I recommend your first act of starting a life coaching business is to Create Your Coaching Mission Statement

Mindfully thinking about what you want out of life is the bedrock of living an intentional life – identifying what you want to contribute during your time on this planet. Whether you call it a personal mission statement, passion statement, vision statement, personal philosophy, or declaration, create a concise description of your purpose in life, which guides your actions.

As a life coach, you’re in the business of inspiring, supporting, and helping people be held to their highest dreams and the life they most want to live. And you need your own clear vision to help others create theirs.

I find many people get bogged down trying to articulate their mission statement. So I want to share a simple, yet powerful formula I used when creating my mission statement. I followed the advice of Simon Sinek, in his book, “Start with Why.” He suggests that having a WHY inspires people more than telling them WHAT you do!

Sinek recommends this format to draft your WHY Statement:

TO ____ (your contribution — what you’re doing to enhance the lives of others through your WHY.) SO THAT ____(the result of your contribution).

This simple formula provided the basis for Neways Center’s mission statement:

TO empower and inspire women SO THAT they can inspire and empower others. 

Of course, it’s completely normal to doubt or worry about starting a  life coaching business. But if you’re convinced this is the right decision for you, you can make it work.  

Start connecting with people (like me!) who will support you and learn all you can about running a business. Create a plan and work your way into it. Feel free to contact me and schedule a 30-minute complimentary consultation to see if working together is the right fit for each of us.

You can also download my free report, 10 Steps to an Embodied Practice: Leading to a Deeply Fulfilling and Rewarding Career as a Therapist and Coach, to learn my secret to a successful and meaningful practice.

Thanks for the photo  Prophsee Journals