34 | Goals, Grit, and Growth: A Real Talk on Coaching Success
Jo discusses the significance of setting goals in your business and the effort required to achieve them. She shares her personal experiences and emphasises the importance of hard work, commitment, and consistency. She also discusses the transformative power of small habits and the journey towards a goal. She highlights that every experience contributes to your future success.
The cost of achieving goals [00:01:27]
Discussion on the challenges and sacrifices involved in pursuing and achieving goals in a coaching business.
The philosophy of goal cost [00:05:09]
Jo explores the concept of goal cost and the importance of analysing the costs and benefits associated with achieving goals.
Personal growth and goal setting [00:08:46]
Discussion on the personal growth and fulfillment that can be achieved through setting and pursuing goals as a coach.
The importance of embracing hard work and the journey [00:11:09]
Jo discusses the transformative power of small habits, the rewards of hard work, and the disappointment of achieving a goal without enjoying the process.
The true cost of achieving goals [00:12:34]
Explores the idea that meaningful change takes time and effort, and emphasises the value of previous experiences and efforts in achieving future success.
The importance of resilience [00:13:52]
Highlights the need for coaches to cultivate resilience and serve as pillars of strength for their clients, encouraging them to set audacious goals and stay committed to their dreams.
Useful Links
Meet me live to prepare for a profitable 2024 in Barnes, London, on 30 November
How to secure more coaching clients' free training
Download the 12 ways to get clients now
Learn about The Business of Coaching programme
Rate and Review the Podcast
If you found this episode of Women in the Coaching Arena helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you’re kind enough to leave a review, please do let Jo know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: joanna@joannalottcoaching.com
Enjoyed This Episode?
Don’t Miss the Next One! Hit subscribe on your favourite podcast app to be notified each time a new episode of Women in the Coaching Arena.
Transcript
Hello and welcome to Women in
the Coaching Arena podcast.
2
:I'm so glad you are here.
3
:I'm Jo Lott, a business mentor
and ICF accredited coach
4
:Microphone (Samson Q2U Microphone):
and I help coaches to
5
:build brilliant businesses.
6
:I know that when you prepare to enter
the arena, there is fear, self doubt,
7
:comparison, anxiety, uncertainty, shame.
8
:You can tend to armor up and
protect yourself from vulnerability.
9
:In this podcast, I'll be sharing
honest, not hype, practical and
10
:emotional tools to support you to make
the difference that you are here for.
11
:Dare greatly.
12
:You belong in this arena.
13
:Microphone (Samson Q2U Microphone)-1:
Hello, welcome to the 34th episode
14
:of women in the coaching arena.
15
:I am so glad you are here.
16
:It's Sunday morning now, and we are
going away for a few days tomorrow.
17
:But I don't know about you, but
I constantly get ideas and I just
18
:really, really need to share them.
19
:So I'm excited to share
this episode today.
20
:On what I believe is crucial
for your success as a coach.
21
:And it was prompted by a question why
do you want to grow your own business?
22
:What do you actually get out of it?
23
:Versus having an employed role.
24
:So today we're going to talk
about goals and more specifically
25
:the cost of achieving them.
26
:I know that many of you, just like my
clients, have big dreams and aspirations.
27
:You want to explore your own capacity,
see what you can create in the world and
28
:uncover treasures that lie within you.
29
:And that is fantastic.
30
:And we need to have that fire that
you do have, and we also need to have
31
:a clear understanding of what what
it takes to reach those objectives
32
:so you don't give up along the way.
33
:So the question my client
asked me was "is it worth it?".
34
:I feel like I'm working harder
than before yet I'm not earning
35
:as much as I did before.
36
:And it's worth saying that she's
only around four or five months
37
:into her business at this stage.
38
:So to go from zero startup phase
to earning the same as you did
39
:before in a career that you've
probably worked 10 to 15 years to
40
:achieve is going to be a depressing
comparison, at least in the beginning.
41
:And I know that's always the first goal.
42
:It was my first goal to earn the
same amount as I did in my previous
43
:career, so I completely get it.
44
:But it's worth just reflecting
on what it took you to get
45
:to that goal in that career.
46
:I bet you didn't go from leaving school
or university straight up there to
47
:wherever you left off in your job.
48
:And it was such a good question that
really did have me thinking because many a
49
:time, do I think, yeah, why do I do this?
50
:Like, this is not easy.
51
:This is not the easy option
of having a business.
52
:And she said that she constantly hears
people say that entrepreneurship is so
53
:exciting and they wouldn't have it any
other way and they'd never go back and
54
:she said, I'm just not sure I get it.
55
:And so that is what today's episode
is going to be on why we do this work.
56
:And if you have been around for a while,
you will know that it's not the easy
57
:option, it's way easier to get a job.
58
:So if you are wondering if this is
a quick fix, and if this is going
59
:to be easier than your job, I can
hand on heart say, I don't think so.
60
:Your business will drive you like
no other job has ever driven me.
61
:And I was always really driven
and really committed to my jobs.
62
:But it's like a unwavering
desire to change the world.
63
:I can only describe it as, is how I feel.
64
:And why on a Sunday morning, I am here
recording this podcast episode for you.
65
:So here is the great opportunity
to reflect on why I do it.
66
:And why you do it.
67
:And what's in it for
you if you keep going.
68
:Because many coaches are, struggling
with those goals, questioning whether
69
:they should keep going or give up.
70
:They feel like the goal isn't
working for them or that the cost
71
:of achieving the goal is too high.
72
:And this got me thinking,
how can I best help you?
73
:My fellow coaches to
achieve what you want.
74
:I have achieved some pretty amazing
goals since first being coached,
75
:a little over four years ago now.
76
:And I've overcome many obstacles
along the way to get there.
77
:This was not an easy path for me.
78
:I've never been one who's overly confident
or someone who's confident to be visible
79
:or any of those things that you think
you may need to be, to have a business.
80
:That's why I'm so passionate when
clients come to me who are worried that
81
:they won't be able to do this because
I really, really believe that you can.
82
:And that is the entire point.
83
:Having a successful business will not
fix you and will not make you confident
84
:and will not make you all of those
things that you perhaps want to be.
85
:But, the inner work you have to
do to grow your business will.
86
:It will completely change your life.
87
:And that is why I do this work.
88
:I want to get even better at helping
you to blow your own mind with what
89
:you can achieve and realize in your
life, and to do that, we need to make
90
:sure our philosophy and thought process
around goal setting and what you want
91
:to achieve are set up in the right way.
92
:So let's dive into the
concept of goal cost.
93
:So goal cost is essentially the
cost that you need to pay in to
94
:be able to achieve your goal.
95
:It includes the types of costs that
we are willing to pay and the types of
96
:costs that we aren't willing to pay.
97
:When we approach setting goals, if we do
that cost analysis before we start, we
98
:won't be surprised when the bill comes in.
99
:We will be prepared and we will
be able to anticipate those costs
100
:associated with achieving your goal.
101
:So it's a bit like if you want to have
a six pack or if you're going to run
102
:a marathon, you know, you're going
to work damn hard every single day.
103
:And as long as you know
that you won't give up.
104
:And I think that's the difficulty here.
105
:We see how easy it is all the time to
just have this business immediately.
106
:And we live in this world of
instant gratification where
107
:we want everything to be easy.
108
:But if you reflect on anything
going in your life, if you want to
109
:achieve these big goals, usually
there is a cost associated.
110
:So as we go through today's episode.
111
:I want you to think about your own goals.
112
:And the costs associated
with achieving them.
113
:Along with the benefits
of the effort required.
114
:And are you willing to pay the
price to achieve your dreams?
115
:If we think of strictly come dancing,
which I was watching recently.
116
:Why do these people do it?
117
:Like that's really hard learning
a new skill, putting yourself
118
:under the spotlight of everyone,
seeing what you're like.
119
:And you're probably gonna be
pretty rubbish when you start.
120
:And why do they do it?
121
:Is it just a win strictly come dancing?
122
:Or is it because of the personal
challenge they're setting themselves
123
:of, can I do this and can I practice
and show up every single day in order
124
:to get better than I was yesterday?
125
:If we think of a few examples,
which might be relevant for you
126
:in terms of growing your business.
127
:It might take consistency on social media.
128
:It might take regular networking.
129
:It might take mentioning to your
network and your friends and
130
:family, what you're doing right now.
131
:So all of those things in
themselves can feel extremely scary.
132
:Is that cost worth the
goal you are pursuing?
133
:And know that in every single
one of those actions, every
134
:single thing you are scared of.
135
:You'll come out stronger the other side.
136
:Now we've talked about the cost
benefit analysis of setting your goals.
137
:And how crucial it is, to be honest
with yourself about the costs you're
138
:willing to pay, let's shift gears a
bit and talk about how this relates
139
:to you as a coach who helps others.
140
:So in this coaching world setting and
achieving goals is our bread and butter.
141
:We guide our clients through this
process and help them to realize
142
:their potential and achieve things
that they never thought possible.
143
:So as a coach, when you're setting
your own goals, whether that's
144
:increasing your client base, boosting
your income, expanding your reach,
145
:you need to be crystal clear on the
costs and benefits of those goals.
146
:One of the best things that I have put
time and energy into in building my
147
:business is my LinkedIn audience growth.
148
:And now I have seven and a
half thousand connections.
149
:And I started from pretty much zero
or maybe like 30 connections four
150
:years ago when I was employed and
no one I knew really used LinkedIn
151
:so I didn't have any network at all.
152
:So it's taken that daily consistent
action to really grow those connections.
153
:And it just makes me so happy to see
that growth and the relationships
154
:I have built on LinkedIn.
155
:Is it worth it for my business?
156
:Yes.
157
:A hundred percent.
158
:But also more importantly, is
it worth it for me personally?
159
:Am I gaining?
160
:Am I growing?
161
:Am I learning?
162
:And the answer is still yes.
163
:Which is why I do it.
164
:So I think sometimes we have to dig
deeper than just that business growth.
165
:It's about whether the platform you're
using for example is fulfilling for you.
166
:Imagine how satisfying it is to
commit to yourself and your own goal.
167
:I set a goal at the beginning
of September, to not drink
168
:alcohol for three months.
169
:And what I feel most proud
about is that I am achieving it.
170
:I have committed to that and
I will not back down on that.
171
:And I think it's just like consistency
in social media posting or emailing
172
:your email list or all of those
things that we know we should do.
173
:But most of the time, your
body and your brain is just
174
:looking for the lazy way out.
175
:We don't really want to do those things.
176
:But when you do them, you feel so
good as to what you can achieve.
177
:So these things are easy.
178
:Like doing 10 minutes of yoga a day.
179
:It sounds easy, but actually doing it
and not thinking, do you know what?
180
:I can't be bothered today.
181
:Is really hard and it's these
tiny, tiny habits that can
182
:completely transform your business.
183
:It's not just about the
hard work and sacrifices.
184
:It's about the immense benefits
and growth that comes from
185
:pursuing something meaningful.
186
:As a coach, you will know
that that journey is just as
187
:important as the destination.
188
:And sometimes the journey
is even more rewarding.
189
:When I published a book in my first year
of business and I had on my vision board
190
:in pencil, because I thought it was
impossible to achieve, that I wanted to be
191
:an Amazon number one bestselling author.
192
:And, strangely enough when I actually
achieved that, I was literally so
193
:depressed because I'd worked so hard
to get that book ready, figure out
194
:how to get it out there in the world.
195
:Figure out how to market it.
196
:Do all the things.
197
:And then.
198
:you get to what should be
that really rewarding moment.
199
:And you realize that what was
rewarding was the hard work
200
:of getting that thing done.
201
:Not of the badge or the
reward that you get.
202
:It's the same as whenever I've received
my certifications for my coaching.
203
:I never really did get that.
204
:Wow.
205
:You know, this is an
amazing achievement feeling.
206
:What I gained achievement
from, is doing hard things.
207
:And I think that is a really good
thing to know that by doing hard
208
:things, you will grow as a person.
209
:And that is why I do this work.
210
:So when it comes to you, helping
your clients embrace the costs
211
:of what they are going for.
212
:Help them to see it as investments
in their future success, in
213
:their own personal growth.
214
:I mean, that is why we are here.
215
:It's to grow as human beings.
216
:So every rejection, every setback is
a stepping stone towards your ultimate
217
:goal and your client's ultimate goal.
218
:So keep reminding yourself of
the benefits of this goal and
219
:growing and learning along the way.
220
:I invite you to step into this picture.
221
:So you are that successful coach who
is making a huge impact in the world.
222
:You are positioned as the
go-to expert in your niche.
223
:Your marketing, research and
insights are changing people's lives.
224
:You are making good money from doing what
you love and you are making a difference.
225
:You look back on your life and are so
proud of the legacy you have left and
226
:the fact that you have contributed and
left this world in a way better place.
227
:So now you are there.
228
:We can continue the rest of this
episode and you can consider
229
:if that cost is worth it.
230
:Let's talk about a common pitfall
that many coaches fall into.
231
:And it's not your fault.
232
:It is the world we live in.
233
:So the allure of quick
fixes and shortcuts.
234
:In this fast paced world is
easy to get caught up in the
235
:promise of instant results.
236
:And as seasoned coaches, we know
that meaningful change takes
237
:time, effort, and persistence.
238
:The true cost of achieving your
goal is the effort that you put in.
239
:And the benefit of this
effort will last a lifetime.
240
:I hear from clients a lot, that I feel
like I'm starting from scratch again.
241
:If you've decided to change your
niche or something like that, then
242
:you aren't starting from scratch.
243
:You will have learnt so much, you
would have built your network.
244
:You would have done so much
already to achieve your goal.
245
:It's a bit like I started my business,
therefore from scratch two years ago.
246
:But I didn't really, because I'd
already had experience in executive
247
:coaching and career coaching.
248
:I had learned how to set up
a business and email list.
249
:I'd built my audience.
250
:All the that, is part of my success today.
251
:So don't ever think that anything
is wasted, any effort you've put
252
:in because those experiences will
contribute to your future success.
253
:So finally let's touch on the
importance of resilience . As coaches.
254
:We need to be pillars of strength for
our clients, helping them stay the
255
:course, even when the going gets tough.
256
:And in order to do that we need
to cultivate our own resilience.
257
:So set big audacious goals for yourself.
258
:Embrace the costs.
259
:Reval in the benefits and show your
clients what's possible when you
260
:stay committed to your own dreams.
261
:Be the living proof that with the
right mindset and willing to pay
262
:the price, Anything is possible.
263
:So let me summarize today's episode.
264
:We talked about why we do
this work as entrepreneurs.
265
:We talked about how you can
analyze the cost of this goal.
266
:A great example of this is reflecting
what might get in your way.
267
:What's going to come up and how are
you going to deal with it and if you
268
:have considered that, upfront then you
will be far more likely to overcome
269
:that obstacle when it comes up.
270
:Because you have considered this when you
aren't feeling emotional and you'll be
271
:able to draw strength from that moment.
272
:We talked about that cost benefit
analysis and how crucial it is
273
:to be honest with yourself about
the costs you are willing to pay.
274
:We talked about what is gonna make you
happy is the inner work you will need
275
:to do to actually grow that business.
276
:What it really comes down to is
how you grow as a person and who
277
:you are becoming and the legacy
that you leave in the world and the
278
:difference that you make for others.
279
:So is that worth the cost
that you are putting in?
280
:And lastly are you prepared to go all in?
281
:Not just want quick fixes and shortcuts
but really do the work that is required
282
:because that is the difference.
283
:There's this great quote by biz Stone,
who said timing, perseverance, and 10
284
:years of trying will eventually make
you look like an overnight success.
285
:The only way you fail is by giving up so
embrace every setback and know that that
286
:is building your resilience which is what
it takes to build a successful business.
287
:Thank you so much for joining me today.
288
:Remember the cost of greatness is
high but the rewards are immeasurable.
289
:Do drop me a line if you
found this episode helpful.
290
:Generally i'm on linkedin as my main
platform as joanna Lott or otherwise
291
:on instagram @joannalottcoaching.
292
:And like i say at the end of every
episode trust yourself believe in
293
:yourself and be the wise gardner
who keeps on watering the seed.
294
:Microphone (Samson Q2U Microphone):
Thank you so much for listening to this
295
:episode of Women in the Coaching Arena.
296
:I have a mess of free resources on
my website joannalottcoaching.com.
297
:That's Joanna with an A
and Lott with two T's.
298
:joannalottcoaching.com.
299
:And I'll also put links in the show notes.
300
:Let me know if you found
this episode useful.
301
:Share it with a friend and
leave me a review, and I will
302
:personally thank you for that.
303
:Remember to trust yourself, believe
in yourself and be the wise Gardner
304
:who keeps on watering the seed.
305
:Get into the arena dare, greatly and try.