It might seem a little strange that I’m sharing a post with 5 reasons NOT to take on a coach .... being a coach myself !

But one of the reasons I’ve been so successful as a coach is that I don't work with clients who I feel wont get results from it.

It’s a waste of the client’s time and money – and it’s a waste of my energy.

So if you’ve been thinking about working with a business coach, you might want to go though the following 5 points where coaching doesn't work before you make a decision.

1. You're not ready

Its as simple as that ... you know what they say " You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink "

Coaching isn’t a magic wand.

Working with a coach isn’t going to fix things all by itself; it’s not a "done for you" service.

Your coach acts as your guide, someone who is on your side but tells you as it is but ultimately it’s up to you to do it !

For coaching to be successful, you need to be prepared to put in effort, do things you are probably avoiding and take a few steps outside your comfort zone.

Being psychologically and emotionally prepared is directly related to the second reason why coaching doesn’t work…

2. Lack of commitment to your own success

Coaching isn’t always a fun experience.

It’s hard work ... not in a being on the tools way ... in a doing things that are more than likely way outside your COMFORT ZONE way ... saying that these actions will lead to something you really truly want for your life and business.

Too many people have “goals” for their businesses that are simply wishes. Like when we sign up to a gym with all the best intentions in the world, only to stop going on week 3 !

Having a “I want to reach this goal” mindset isn't enough – it has to be “I will reach this goal and I will do whatever it takes” ... a very subtle difference.

If I’m going to commit to helping my clients achieve the success they’re looking for, they need to be at least equally committed.

And not just committed to the goal…committed to the process. Which brings us to reason #3.

3. Not trusting the process

The clients who get the most value from coaching are the ones who:

• Take the time to educate themselves to be the person they need to be to hit their goals
• Do the actions they agreed to ... No BS because I can smell that a mile off !!
• Show up to our zoom sessions every time ready to work…not to just chat

My best clients tend to have a balance of bringing their current burning challenges to our sessions mixed with a fire in their belly to smash through them as well as their wins so we can celebrate them

4. Expecting results to be faster or easier

My clients tend to be bigger picture thinkers who want results now and underestimate the time needed to reach targets.

Busy business owners who as a rule have a lack of time so are impatient and expect results instantly ..... you cant expect to eat a salad and have lost a stone !

The implementation – the actual doing of the things that need to get done – can take longer than we expect.

Especially if personal growth is required.

It’s easy to see this if we look at fitness as an example. You can set fitness goals for yourself and develop a workout plan. Sticking to it when there aren't huge instant results is the hard bit.

But reaching your fitness goals will take months of doing the hard work at the gym. If you’re serious about those goals, you’ll probably hire a personal trainer for advice, feedback, and to help you stay accountable.

You might want to think of coaching as hiring a personal trainer for business.

5. Feeling like you’re done and wanting to coast

My clients often begin coaching because they have a “burning fire” – there’s a problem that needs to be solved. Typically around TIME, TEAM or MONEY .

I learned long ago, that it’s important to address these burning issues first. No point spending time developing a “strategic plan” for growth if you’re worried you can't pay the wages next week.

Coaching can be so much more than simply solving an urgent problem and moving on.

Once we solve the urgent issues, the next phase is about GROWTH. Both personal and professional.

Coaching can be the path to help you have the life and business you want, if you are prepared to put the work in !

All the best athletes have coaches. So do the best business owners.

So with the above in mind it is easy to see why coaching sometimes doesn't work...... Although I have to say when you are committed and grab it with both hands the results are amazing .... I have been on this journey, going from client to coach, so I can tell you 100% - I wouldn't be where I am today without having taken on a coach 11 years ago :)