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Are you thinking of enlisting some expert help to grow your business, but you’re unsure if this is what you need or want? What are some of the signs you need a business coach?
Pause with me for a minute here, and let’s reflect on how you feel right now about your business.
Do you feel stressed or anxious?
Are you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted?
Has running your business stopped being fun?
Do you find you’re always thinking about work, but that energy isn’t helping your business grow?
Is your revenue or profit stagnant or declining?
Are you constantly taking one step forward and two steps back?
Are you missing out on things like birthdays, weddings, or watching your kids grow up, and that thing called work-life balance seems like an urban myth to you?
As a business coach, these are the most common challenges I hear from my clients and are all strong indications that your business needs help, and so do you.
Chances are when you first started your business, your creativity and passion were flowing; you had BIG dreams and goals and the energy of an eternal optimist to match. But somewhere along the way, you started to hit roadblocks. Inspiration and ideas dried up. Fatigue, doubt, and fear began to settle in. Your world became increasingly lonely. And you’ve reached a point where you’re not sure where to go or what to do next.
I promise you, it’s normal to feel this way, and plenty of business owners find themselves in your shoes. The great news is, there are people who want to help you and know how to: they’re called business coaches!
Not convinced yet you need one? Keep reading.
15 surefire signs you need a business coach
1. You feel stuck
Are you struggling to understand what your role should be in your business?
Do you constantly second guess your next move?
Are you unsure about what you should be doing daily to drive your business forward?
Do you keep taking action but can’t ever seem to achieve the results you crave?
Have you hit a roadblock in your business, and you don’t know how you’re going to bounce back?
The truth is, it’s normal to feel stuck when you’re building a business that has never been built before. But you don’t have to struggle alone. Find a business coach and get unstuck today. Together you can figure out what your key role and responsibilities should be, solutions to your current challenges, and gain some much-needed clarity on where to go next.
2. You feel discouraged
If you’re not seeing the kind of results or growth you want to see in your business, or things are regularly not going your way, it’s normal to feel frustrated and eventually discouraged. Even the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and business owners get discouraged at times. We’re all human, and we all have our share of insecurities, fears, and doubts.
But when you’re having a tough day, week, month, or even year, what you need is someone standing by your side encouraging you. You need someone you can count on to be there, someone who understands what you’re going through and can remind you that you are good enough, you do have what it takes, and the only real limitations in your business are the ones you place on it.
3. You need a soundboard
Have you ever tried to talk to your friends and family about your business and got the resounding feeling that they have little to no idea what you’re talking about?
And it’s not that they don’t care or mean well; it’s that they literally don’t understand what you’re talking about. How could they?
Even on rare occasions when they get it, you can’t fully trust their opinion or advice because you don’t know if it’s objective—they’re too close to you. But it’s driving you crazy not having anyone to bounce ideas off.
Coaching in business is about giving you that outward perspective. A business coach doesn’t have any personal ties to you or your company. This means they will always be able to provide you with honest, unbiased, non-judgemental advice, whether it’s on a new idea, a product venture, or your long-term business goals.
4. You're not seeing the business growth you desire
Does it feel like you’re just about treading water and staying afloat in business? Every day leaves you scrambling and gasping for air, praying you’ll make it through to tomorrow.
When you first started your business, you were full of hope and possibility, and you had so many ambitions for it (and for yourself). But nothing seems to be moving in the right direction. Your business isn’t growing the way you know it should be. You keep putting in countless hours, and it feels like you’re moving in circles.
This is one of the strongest signs that you’re in dire need of a business coach. I’m a certified business coach and have worked with more than a thousand businesses, helping many of them hit 6-7 figures. If you want to learn how we can grow your business together, click here to book a complimentary strategy session with me.
5. You're overwhelmed or burnt out
Has it been centuries since you last took a vacation?
Are most of your evenings and weekends either spent working on your business or worrying about your business?
Are your personal life and relationships suffering because of your work?
What about your physical and mental health? Do you regularly have sleepless or anxiety-filled nights?
Is there so much on your plate each day that you don’t know where to begin?
These are all signs that you’re either overwhelmed or burnt out, and this is prevalent amongst business owners because there’s pressure to do and be everything yourself, especially in the early years. But if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to show up as your best self in your business.
A business coach can help you manage your time more effectively, get organized, and start prioritizing tasks on your list.
6. You've got plenty of ideas but lack follow-through
Are you the kind of person who has a constant stream of brilliant new ideas flooding through your brain each day? The only problem is, you struggle to take action on any of them. This is a common challenge for business owners, particularly if you are highly creative but struggle with the nitty-gritty of running a business.
One of the reasons I recommend business coaches for entrepreneurs is because they will bring that structure and discipline to your world so that you can start bringing your incredible ideas to life.
7. You're unsure how your current actions are contributing to your long-term goals
Are you going through the motions every day, busy as hell, not even getting a moment to chow down a sandwich? Yet, months (or years) go by, and it feels like you are still no closer to your long-term goals?
You started your own business because you desired more freedom, but freedom feels further away than ever before. You’re stuck in the weeds, and you can’t see a way out.
The right business coach will examine your business goals, help you break them down into small, actionable steps, and devise a plan with you that takes you to where you want to go.
8. Your income is unstable
Are your finances like a yo-yo? You have a fantastic month followed by a terrible one, and there’s no certainty. Profits and revenue are either stagnant, declining, or increasing at a snail pace. All of this is making you and your team feel unstable.
You know you want to make more money, you don’t understand why it’s taking so long, and you’re unconvinced it should be this hard. This is another one of the telltale signs you need to enlist the help of a business coach so you can track key metrics and drill into your numbers. It’s time to let go of what’s not working and double down on what is.
9. You need external accountability
If you’re being completely honest, do you believe you’re doing everything in your power to meet your business goals?
The trouble is, it’s all too easy to fall behind on plans and actions and break promises to yourself. A business coach will hold you accountable to what you say you’re going to do. You won’t just be letting yourself down; you’ll also have to tell them that you haven’t stuck to your word. For many of us, that’s motivation enough to stay on track and get things done.
You can think of a business coach like an accountability buddy. A great one will help you develop personal accountability, which is an essential skill for all business owners.
10. You aren't having fun
Looking for signs that you need a business coach? One of the most obvious ones is when your business isn’t fun anymore. You’re not happy. You’re not excited to jump out of bed in the mornings. And this vibe has permeated through your office.
Believe me when I say that running a business should be fun. If it’s not, then something isn’t right. Maybe you’ve gotten away from the core tasks that bring you joy. Maybe you need to shake things up. Or maybe you just need to take some time off and hit the reset button.
Whatever the reason, a business coach will help you find out what’s going on under the surface and help you fall in love with your business all over again.
11. You're eager to develop new skills
We’ve all got our own gifts and talents—things we’re naturally good at. Maybe there are certain things you’re good at, like managing employees and being a leader, but you know there’s room for improvement (there always is). Or maybe there are certain skills you lack, like understanding your finances or negotiation. Whatever you’re eager to develop, a business coach can directly help you improve your existing skills, connect you with a relevant expert, or recommend suitable training.
As a business owner, you can’t expect yourself to be an expert at everything, but it’s important that you feel confident day-to-day and have a basic working knowledge of all areas of your business. After all, you are steering this ship.
12. Your daily operations lack processes
Are you running your business without any methodical planning or strategy? Instead of logical, streamlined processes, everyone is off on a tangent making things up as they go. This leads to wasted time and costly mistakes that can easily be avoided. And if you’re serious about growing your business, this just isn’t going to cut it.
You need someone who understands how a business runs smoothly and can help you create efficient processes that make your job (and your team’s job) easier. The daily operations of your business are your foundation to success. If they’re not designed correctly, you won’t be able to scale your business.
13. You're stuck in a rut
Does it feel like you’re in the weeds constantly? You’re doing the same things over and over again. Everything feels stagnant, and your numbers reflect this. This is another one of the signs that you might need a business coach.
The problem is, you can’t keep repeating the same actions and hoping for different results.
The solution?
You’ve got to snap out of that rut and fast.
A business coach can breathe new life into your world and help you gain a new perspective on your business. They will guide you, share their expertise, and help you carve out a new path forward towards your short and long-term business goals.
14. You have an idea of what you want to improve
Before you reach out to a business coach, it’s important that you have an idea of what you’d like to or need to focus on improving. A coach is not a mind reader or magician!
So take the time to think about what you and your business need most. What would you like to gain from working with a business coach? This requires you to be honest with yourself regarding your weaknesses and limitations. Maybe you need help with general confidence and self-belief, marketing and sales, scaling your operations, or planning an exit strategy. Or perhaps you need help in several areas.
Get clear on what you most want to improve, and you’re ready to commit to being coached.
15. You're willing to put in the work
Finally, you know you need (and are ready for) a business coach when you’re willing to put in the work. A business coach can give you all the tools, motivation, and guidance you need to make your business a thriving success, but it’s on you to make it happen. You have to put in the hours and do the heavy lifting. If you walk into this partnership willing to do what it takes to create real transformation in your business, you’ll reap the maximum benefits of it.
So be honest with yourself. If you’re not ready to commit, ask yourself if your business is genuinely important to you. And if you are ready to commit, get in touch.
Next steps
Are all the signs telling you that you need to hire a business coach?
The right business coach can help you boost your profits, manage your time more effectively, progress towards your long-term goals, and get closer to that all-important freedom you desire from your business. Working with a coach will require time, money, and energy, but it’s always worth it—you are worth it.
So, are you ready to quit suffering in silence, start having fun again, and grow your business?
Book a complimentary strategy session with me here, and let’s chat.
