growasacoach

Learning from Life

2009-09-04T09:42:38+01:00

I've done a few posts recently about some of the things I have learnt about moving to self employed.

One of my big learnings from the last year is resiliance is built off the ability to re-think and be flexible about how to achieve what you want.

What I want is to work doing work I love.

What I'd love that to look like, is a full coaching business that enables me to just do that, full time.

What I've learnt over the last year is that sometimes you have to be prepared to flex that dream, to fit with realities of life. And what I hope is, as a coach knowing some of those potential challenges and realities, may help you think about YOUR strategy and reality.

My learning number One: Your big opportunity may not come when you are quite ready for it

I'd said for about 2 years, I really wish I could just work for myself, be happily redundant from my day job and use that as the push to get out of the corporate world of work and into coaching.

And then it happened and it has been a fabulous rollercoaster and I have learnt - well, a huge amount of stuff. About me, about working for myself, about busines, about marketing, technology and a whole host of other stuff.

I wasn't quite ready though, because of the circumstances of the change (and a relocation!) my marketing was reduced down to a tiny amount. Which meant that I was starting from almost a full stop, at a time when many individuals, businesses and coaches were reviewing what they spent on coaching and personal development.

What could help you be more ready for it?

Before you leave your day job work out what you are spending right now. And I mean, on you, on your wants, your needs and your business. How much does this add up to over a year? What can be cut? Don't forget to add in all the things which only come up once a year - it's surprising how they add up! Then think about if you could sustain little income for maybe about a year if you needed to, or how you could raise finance to help you through those first periods.

Another great tip to think about is who your contacts are and whether they can help you to get going and get into business straight away. Some of your contacts may be great for help and support, but may not be the exact contacts you need to move into the business success you want. Who are those contacts, and how can you start building them sooner?

There was a great post recently by Chris Brogan on Evaluating your business Idea. Does it help someone else, and can that person pay for it?

Do some research and listen to your market about what they can pay out for right now. I love working with coaches and what I have heard is that for many of us out there at the moment, especially new coaches, it's feeling tough to get clients, which means that there is less money to invest in yourself and your biz (my core market). that doesn't mean it will always be the case, just that there is a need to think what else...

Does Chris Brogan's article help you when you evaluate your niche, your offering?

Lesson Two: I'd love to be abundant and I am fearful!

I've had this conversation with my coach. I hear about abundance, and know this is the way I'd love to work. However, sometimes it can feel so far from where you are that it's tough to keep in the abundant mindset. Even if you are a coach, and that's the way you love to work!

Note to self - it's very tough to feel abundant when you are feeling fearful! And lots of change can add up to fearfulness. Now, I've got an absolutely fabulous support team behind me - a coach, supervisor, and my family, friends and a fabulous fiance. And still I've been having those rollercoaster moments!

So, I had a wealth chat with the lovely Judith Morgan and we decided I needed to focus on thinking more abundantly, shifting my mindset, and also about how I could practically add to my wealth.

And thus started my search for some part time, practical income that fitted in with my longer term goals. It was easy at first to think about anything - (that's the fear talking!). And then I took a step back (with the support of my coach!) and started thinking more in terms of abundant terms. What would bring in income, and still enable me to move forwards in my business goals?

And so now, I have a part time job I've just successfully got that fits with a part of my business I really want to take forwards, and which I do hear people with a need for (small business social media marketing).

And because I know more about how I work than ever before, I can see this as part of my ongoing resiliance and being abundant in attracting an offer which fits with what I love to do, and enables me to take 2 days a week still doing work I absolutely LOVE to do - rather than just feeling I have to do...well, anything really!

What could help you feel more abundant and less fearful?

A first step may be acknowledging to yourself that the fear is there. Sometimes it just sneaks up on us! Then work out what you can do in order to feel less fearful, and more abundant. Maybe it is looking at reducing costs. Maybe it is looking at different ways to increase income. Maybe it is looking for a job that fits your goals (google coaching jobs and vacancies - I have found a few recently!). It's definitely about doing more direct contact with people which is something I am working on right now.

A little more conversation, a lot more action and a whole heap of fun!

5 Reasons why I am attending the EuroCoach List Conference this year

2009-09-02T09:06:52+01:00

Unsurprisingly for the coaches coach, I love meeting other coaches. So, I am really looking forwards to the EuroCoach List Conference in Bristol on 19th and 20th September.

Here are some of the reasons why:

1. It's about Thriving in Times of change. Having been through a LOT of change myself this year, and with the UK and global economies still in a state of flux, I can't imagine a more timely topic for the conference. Coaching itself has more coaches than ever, more people working in the market which means we need to be smarter in order to thrive in our business.

2. It's about Coaching in Action. As we know, Coaching doesn't happen in a vacuum - it happens in the reality of our lives, our clients lives, and the environments and systems that they live and work in. Find great sessions run on amongst other things, creating a coaching culture

3. There will be lots of other coaches there and time to meet, greet and network. Lots of coaches I talk to, know that it can be lonely especially if you are getting used to being self employed. Here is a great way to meet lots of people -I have all my business cards ready so I can stay in touch!

4. It's about being more Self Aware so you can be a better coach. As a coach supervisor and coach for coaches, I am passionate about both those subjects and looking forwards to what new tips I can integrate into my coaching practice. It gives me the chance to hear what other coaches are doing and also the chance to share how I work with people.

5. It's in a great location. It's in the same place as last years conference, at the WaterShed in Bristol. Right on the water and in th heart of the city. I'm treating it as a lovely weekend away as well as the chance to get to the conference!

So - I'll be there - will you?

Easy to reach from Temple Meads station, and set on Bristol’s historic harbourside, the Watershed Media Centre is a mecca for art, creativity and innovation. Come and be inspired in these beautiful surroundings at the Euro Coach List Conference 2009.

Register now at http://www.ECL09.com/affiliate/ClaireC /, for a recession-friendly £155 for the one and a half day main conference, including lunch and refreshments

The 4 Quadrant Coaching Consultation - Time for tea at back to school

2009-09-01T17:24:54+01:00

Back to School always, but always feels like a really busy time of year, don't you think?

Whether you are going to school, being a student, or are a parent of school age children, you are directly into a new mindset and a new set of goals for the school or college term. I think even if you don't have children, then there is an awareness of the amount of year which has past, and how little of the year there is left to achieve your goals.

Added to that, I find a general sense of busy-ness which can feel at odds with wanting to mindfully do your best work as a coach.

Actually, one thing I have worked out recently is that I like to help keep things light, fun and with a huge sense of yummyness in the way people work.

When I meet people, in person I love to get that yummy factor too. I've been meeting coaches, in London for a lovely cup of tea and a piece of cake, and the chance to have a chat, have a listen and hopefully add some value!

So if you are a coach out there who would like to have the rest of their year feel back on track, I'm offering a one to one phone consultation (or a virtual tea party!) to help you use your time more effectively.

The idea of the 4 Quadrant Consultation is help you review where you are against your goals for the year, create a flowing structure for your work and give us a chance to meet and chat, with some value to you in the shape of an action plan and recommendations at the end of the session.

Sounds yummy? Simply RSVP to my email claire@growasacoach.com

And the most yummy thing? No financial cost - just your time and energy to move yourself forwards.

(Sessions subject to availability, sessions arranged according to availability of coach and client, and time zones. Client to call coach and the consultation lasts between 45mins-1hr)

Coaching Life is like a roller-coaster...

2009-08-25T08:00:59+01:00

Life is like a rollercoaster...

Ok, when I wrote that I could feel myself having a real Forrest Gump moment. Maybe I just need chocolate? It is early here in the UK!

Working for yourself, looking for new opportunities can feel a little like a roller coaster. One minute you are up, at the top of the ride, loving life and really enjoying what's happening. The next, either the ride is all over or you're in the not terribly exciting bit.

And so with life. Or, it can feel more with life that there are the very exciting bits and then the bits that you'd rather just do without, quite frankly!

As regular readers will know, one thing I find really important as a coach is to be authentic and name what's happening, in the hope it helps others. So - it can be tough out there folks. There can be days we wake up and forget how great it is we live this flexible life and remember all the knock backs we had recently.

So what can we do then? I've been musing on this, having had a few recently!

It's ok to feel that way.

The trick is not to get stuck there. We all have our down moments and what is key is working out for you, what your strategies are to get up and back on the fun ride as soon as you can. Sometimes I think by not listening to ourselves and our need to maybe just be a little bit sad about things, we miss the rich variety of life. After all, if we dont have rain, we don't enjoy the sun as much, maybe?

And like the sun, if we don't have rain we don't have what makes our beautiful english countryside green. So...

It's ok to not have everything go your way...

The trick is to think and reflect and learn from your experiences, rather than getting stuck on what didn't go so well yesterday. Today is a whole new day. A whole, beautiful, gift of a day where everything could go right, where that most fantastic and fabulous opportunity is just there ready for you - if you have your eyes open to spot it.

It's ok to ask for help...

In face, the trick is that this is recommended! I always recommend having a great support network around you - they are great cheerleaders when things are going well and real positive when you've got a challenge. They see things you don't and can give you a different perspective. My coach Judith is great at doing this. So are friends and family. It doesn't matter here what your training is, the gift is in the connection, and the awareness.

It doesn't matter what techniques you use to get back on your feet....

The trick is to keep looking for your best techniques. The ones which work for you. To try new things. To treat it as fun, as a game and as part of the great experience of learning to be independent and in touch with what the universe truly wants for you. I am currently reading Wildly Wealthy. I know that there is a learning in all this for me, I know that I'll love the One day Money Workshop that popped into my mailbox yesterday with Michael Neill. The universe does send us what we need.

Our trick is recognising it, and enjoying the ride. After all, we only get one trip!

Follow Friday - Great coaches / small business marketers

2009-08-21T19:45:00+01:00

Happy Friday! Today I am going to share some of the great coach marketers I follow on twitter. Some do just coaching, many offer coaching as one of the tools to having an effective business.

All of them are people I have a huge amount of respect for, and who walk their talk in the way they do business and interact with their communities.

The first is @hannahmcnamara I've done a few joint promo's with Hannah (as you'll know if you are on my list!) and I've also recently recorded a call with her on coaching development and coaching resumes - watch this space as I know she is uploading it soon!

@andreajlee is the fabulous coach who is behind Money and Meaning, and the Pink spoon theory of building a free taste for people to learn more about how you work. along with @MilanaLeshinsky and @cjhayden they are some high powered, highly interactive coaches to connect with on twitter.

On the UK front, I always love connecting with @louiseBJ and @karenpurves as they again, really walk their talk and have some great resources to share with you on your business. As always on twitter, it's about what you share which makes a fabulous difference!

How to start self employed life - 5 top tips

2009-08-17T10:56:24+01:00

I've been working as a coach since 2005 and always thought of myself as doing that part of my work "self employed". I had a day job on top of that and always thought about how when I was a coach, I'd be doing work completely that I loved, all day and every day. After I got made redundant in November last year, I realised it was really time to know how to start that self employed life - and lifestyle!

I found some surprises in starting self employed life, I just wasn't expecting. So, as I like to, I thought I'd share them with you along with some useful tips. Now, I know my journey isn't your journey, so your experiences may be completely different.

Tip One: How to go self employed is not the same as how to be self employed

Sounds like the same thing to you? Here is what I mean! In some ways, depending on where you are and what you want to do, it's easy to work out how to go self employed and actually, physically set up your business. When you train to become a coach, it's easy to say that this means that I am going to go self employed, decide a business name, maybe get a website set up, define what sort of business you want to have set up.

How to be self employed, for me, is much more of a mindset piece. How to get used to the fact that what you love doing is now part of what you need to do, and get paid for, to bring in the income you need to live off. Or, how to bring in part time income whilst you are building up.

How to be self employed, is to recognise that it is different from being employed. You are in charge. The buck stops here. The ability to get work, built contacts, build visibility, credibility and reach out to people, all stop with you.

So, you need to start planning and working through ready for this mindset of independence and 100% accountability to your dream of being successfully self employed.

Tip Two: It's not money in the bank, until it is money in the bank

I think I talked about this before. How to be self employed is about recognising that your financial situation is different now. You may have contacts, opportunities - until they are actually invoiced and paid - that is what they are, opportunities for work. Recognising that will help you keep your eyes open for new opportunities until they start to pay off with money in the bank and the next commitment in the diary. This is based on the fact that you may be working with people who themselves have to justify why their spend, why your company. Talk about what benefits their are to working with you, for your solutions. Answer their pain.

This also means you need to realistically understand how much money you spend, what on and what you can change or cut down on. Build yourself a full picture of what money you need, both for your personal life and your business. Then you can see what can change in the short term, and what sacrifices or changes you may need to make. Talk to your friends and family about what changes you are making, and why.

Tip Three: Get as much support as you can

I am a gregarious, chatty person and one thing I have found very new is the whole idea that working for home could mean I go all day without talking to someone. (For someone who was known in their last employed role for the size of their laugh, that's a challenge!)

Currently, I have a great support network. As well as my informal network of support, in the shape of my fiance, friends, family etc, I also have my own coach, and my own supervisor. I am also working on business building, and am using a contra coaching coach whilst I also coach a contra coaching client.

All this helps me to stay on track, stay accountable and above all, focused and motivated. I have also been using Business Link to find out what support is available in my area.

Tip Four: Use resources to focus you on gratitude and abundance

Becoming self employed, means being persistant in the knowledge, the certainty that it will work. And this takes belief, especially when it takes longer than you would like it to! I find I go through periods of being up, and periods of being down. It's good to recognise that this can be the case, and also build yourself strategies and resources for moving yourself back up when you are feeling low and unresourceful.

Keep a list of all the things you are great at.

Update your CV to show your new status - consider building a new, skills based CV (I can help you with this!)

Find out useful resources about abundance, wealth, and motivation. I am just getting into Sandy Forster on wealth and abundance

Tip Five - Be direct as well as indirect.

I've built up a good name, especially on the internet as I have my Grow as a Coach site , Career Coaching website and supervision for coaches website

What I realised recently is that although I've done a lot of work, most of that has been behind the scenes, meaning I have visibility, and credibility, however I need to work on my outreach - my getting out and actually talking to people about what I do, showcasing it and putting myself in a position where people have experienced me, and/ or how I work. How would you rate yourself as actually getting out there, and talking to people about what you do?

Since I have realised this and started taking action, offers are pouring in!

Are you a coaching psychologist?

2009-08-14T14:41:26+01:00

If you are a coach out there with a background in coaching psychology, you may want to check out this link

http://www.sgcp.org.uk/news/2nd-european-coaching-psychology-conference-2009---call-for-papers.cfm

It is a call for people to write papers for the December conference - key themes are

Hope and Wisdom
Engagement
Transition
Performance
Health and Wellbeing
Developing practice

If this is you, this is a great way to get out and be both visible and credible - all great ways to market yourself and build your position as an expert in your market

Follow Friday 14th August 09 - Following...trainers...

2009-08-14T14:34:17+01:00

Well, another week goes by. Can you believe it is Friday already?

As I already wrote a post about the link between coaching. training and return on investment I thought that this week in Follow Friday I would talk about some of the people I am following who I'd recommend who are involved in the training world.

One I've started following recently is @sharongaskin I am recommending Sharon for follow friday as she is very supportive, offering retweets of my conversations, because she was recommended by @efficiencycoach to me as we both support our target markets with gaining more business, and she has lots of support for trainers on her website.

@rapidbi Mike Morrison is a coach and a trainer, and again, another tweeter with a great set of resources. I'm loving my new wordpress site, www.supervisionforcoaches.com as it is just so easy to set my own resources up and on there to share. @rapidbi is way ahead with this - check out his site!

What I love about both of these tweeple is the fact that the fulfil the 1st rule of social media - give, give, give.

Happy Friday Following!

ROI - Even more important in a Recession

2009-08-13T11:31:52+01:00

Thanks today for The Training Zone for publishing their comments on some US research relating to the current economic situation and training in organisations.

The research, by The American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) and titled Learning in Learning in Tough Economic Times: How Corporate Learning is Meeting the Challenges that whilst in many cases, training budgets were being reduced, extensive cuts were still the exception to the rule.

What is great here to learn from as a coach is that there is an increased focus within organisatins, of return on investment, and efficiency in the results of coaching.

As a coach, I am heartened by the fact that it is not wholesale cuts, and that with coaching consolidating learning, this can help the training impact be more efficient and effective.

Our challenge as coaches is to recognise and be flexible to the changing nature of the market place, and to focus on how we can help organisations with their long term people aims of employee engagement, retention and strength of the organisation.

Todays Follow Friday

2009-07-31T09:09:17+01:00

Today I thought I'd start the recommendation made by @nikkipilkington
to take follow friday off twitter and onto my blog.

So, what is follow friday?

Some of you may not be on twitter and may not know what I am even talking about!

In a nutshell, once a week on a Friday, people use the tag #ff, or #followfriday, or even in the uk, #ukff to say who they are following, that they recommend that others follow. Some people just choose to leave a big list of people - the best way is to give a context for why people would like to follow them.

And the next step on is to pop it on your blog where you can reference in a little more detail! So, who are my follow friday recommendations?

@efficiencycoach Heather Townsend is my first follow friday recommendation. I actually met Heather in person after connecting with her on LinkedIn, and now we are both supporting as ICF Ambassadors - it's an amazingly small world in coaching! Heather is very focused, hence her efficiency tag, as well as being very communicative - something great in the world of twitter!

@TelegraphMG I follow as I am a bit of a newsaholic, and they keep me up to date when I am twitter with what is happening in the wider world. Mix of news and sports information (OK, sports not really my bag, but on a personal level it's good to be able to know things fairly hot off the press!!)

@peer_resources Is a great resource for links relating to coachiing - tips on mentoring, coaching and peer work as a coach.