In my work with coaches building successful businesses, one of the big obstacles we work on is what to do when “life happens.” This means an unexpected event like a car accident or something planned like a visit from your parents, a new relationship, or a work event.
Some of these life-happening things can really be time-consuming and take your focus and attention off aspects of your business that are essential for you to keep moving forward.
There is rarely a time when something isn’t happening that can take you off track from your goals, vision, and day-to-day running of your business.
What I recommend to the coaches in my program and offer to you today is to PLAN for things to happen that are out of your control or that will take up extra time and effort.
The best time to plan is when things are going smoothly, and you have time and head space to think through what is most important and have those things in your calendar. I call it calendarizing my goals and tasks.
Once they are on my calendar, even when things happen, I can redo my schedule, get extra help to accomplish them or come to the conclusion that they are not going to happen now and move them to a later date.
Right now, I am navigating a house purchase and a house sale, and I have found it challenging to keep my focus. Life is happening to me, and it is filling up space I usually would be working on my business.
I don’t want to sugarcoat this. It is still a challenge for me! I get frustrated, feel overwhelmed, and, at times, defeated.
When that happens, though, I have a habit of taking time to look at my calendar instead of giving in to the negative thoughts that want to pull me down.
To make it creative and playful, I have some very fun planners, wall calendars, and a magnet board with handwritten tasks and events that feel good to look at.
The biggest challenge I have to overcome with this is making the time when time is already squashed!
It is a paradox I have often faced, making time work for me when it seems there is not enough to cover it all.
I have found it essential to make that time during this time in my life. To block out planning and meandering time. Time to look over all that is happening and be able to see what is important and what is not. To access that part of me that knows it will all work out.
One last tip. It is much harder to navigate these kinds of times when Life Happens on your own. This is why I have a coaching community. So we all can support each other, have someone to brainstorm with, or just laugh with!
If you are in a flow state right now, I encourage you to use some of that good feeling to prepare for when Life Happens. If you are in a stuck state, I encourage you to take time to see what the right action is to take.
Ep. 35 – Kat Knecht – Plan, Pivot, Prosper: Coaching Through Life’s Curveballs
Life happens, but your coaching business doesn’t have to stop! In this episode, learn creative planning strategies, soulful insights, and actionable tips to keep your business thriving while navigating life’s unexpected twists.
