If You Don’t Know Where You Are Now, You Won’t Get Where You Want to Go!

The metaphor of using a map to navigate comes to mind as I think about my quiz, The Four Stages of a Coaching Business. 

A map will do you no good unless you know the starting point. 

Imagine you’re in your car heading to your sister’s house. If you only put her address into the navigation system and the system has no idea what your current location is, it will be of no use!

I learned about this the hard way with my coaching business, which is why I created the quiz and eBook. This is one of the first concepts I teach in my business training program.

When I first started out in business, I wanted to leap ahead and be successful right out of the gate. I wanted to look professional and have my marketing reach the masses.

I also didn’t want to do all the hard & boring-sounding stuff. I was more interested in the fun stuff, like branding and continuing my personal growth work.

These are important, don’t get me wrong. Having a strong brand helps a business attract customers who align with their message.

It is important for coaches to continue to learn and grow as they grow their business.

BUT it is also important, even essential, to know where you are right now.

And to be willing to evolve your business and yourself in a way that makes sense. There is a natural order to growth of any kind, and you can’t skip a stage without missing something essential for the following stages.

Here is an example. When I was just getting started as a coach in business, I spent a gob of money on branding. I took a branding course and hired a brand expert. It was super fun and I loved the finished product.

Here is the BUT again. It did nothing to help me grow my business because I wasn’t ready.

I hadn’t laid the groundwork of identifying my niche and marketing message. I hadn’t done the experimenting to discover what would bring clients in the door of my business.

I also did a ton of personal growth training, thinking this would add to my coaching authority.

Again, I was disappointed even though I enjoyed the training and don’t regret having the learning. BUT I would have done it in a different way if I had known then what I know now.

I have many stories I could tell you about how I tried to jump ahead of the curve by doing things that were fun and potentially useful as marketing activities.

Things like having an AM radio show. The show was one of my favorite things to do! I learned so much, and it did attract business. BUT it would have been a much more effective use of my time and money had I waited a few years.

This is why I created my quiz and ebook.

When you know what stage of business you are in and what’s important to accomplish during that stage, you will build a sustainable business.

You will also experience more relaxation, peace of mind, and confidence to take bold actions born out of the wisdom of taking tiny steps.

I have just created a new graphic to depict the features of my Soul Driven Success Business Academy. I am excited to have created this academy, and there is no BUT about that.

That’s because it’s the right time for this business to have evolved into what it is. I have spent lots of time and money along the way, so that I can now share it with those who need support for their business and their growth.

The four stages that every coaching business moves through are:

1. 1. Coach in Training
   2. Start Up
   3. Sustainable Success
   4. Legacy

I talk more about each stage on my podcast this week, and I invite you to check out my quiz to find out which stage you are in and how helpful it is to have accurate information to help you get from where you are now to where you want to be.

So that you will enjoy each stage of the journey.