I entered the coaching world in 2006.
I entered the coaching world in 2006.
My first experience of coaching was through
ActionCOACH. And one of the famous straplines they used was… “Are you working on your business or in your business?”
I actually like working in my business. My favourite part of my business is doing the thing.
Helping someone craft their story. Watching them step up to the mic and deliver a powerful message. Having the sessions where we find the story. All of the work that I do, I love. Every couple of months I ask myself what am I trading?
I look at what I’ve been trading.
Recently I had a Zoom call with a client who is currently sitting in one of the most beautiful places in the world, soaking up the sun. And she said something that really made me lean back in my seat. She said: “I love doing the thing, I really do. But I’m not willing to do all the other stuff you have to do to do the thing!
And I remember thinking…You’ve actually figured out something that many people spend their entire lives trying to understand.
Because at some point, the trade-off of hustling for new clients, hustling for visibility, and pushing constantly just so that you can do the thing you love… stops making sense.
So this Sunday, if you’re in rest mode, maybe today is a good day to ask yourself one question:
What is the trade-off? Because if the trade-off makes sense to you, keep going. But if it doesn’t… something probably needs to change.
And when I did the maths, it’s was more time on marketing and building the thing than actually doing the thing.
Which is exactly why I decided to really lean into building the cohorts. With the nudge of Debbie Lewis. Because in these cohorts, I get to do the thing. The cohorts are usually between 10 and 15 people and we work together over 90 days. There’s a mixture of one-to-one sessions and group coaching. And the goal is always very clear — we get a result at the end.
I think when you do this kind of work, there has to be an outcome. So my priority that by the end of the process, people leave with their assets. Ready to go out there!
Their showreel.
Their photos.
Their powerful talk.
Something they can take anywhere.
What I love about this work is that when I first sit down with you, I genuinely do not have a clue about you.
And then by the end of it, we’ve uncovered your story, built your personal brand around it, and sometimes even built the foundations of a business, a book, or a message that can serve the audience long after you’ve stepped off the stage.
And I love that. Send me a message if you like the idea of delivering a talk this year. I’d love to invite you to find out more about the next cohort.
https://calendly.com/ifethomas/let-s-meet-june
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Photography by Nazar Bartosik
