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Last week we talked about one thought, whether you were one thought away from having that amazing thriving business, whether there was just that one thought that was stuck, getting you caught up, stopping you from taking action. Today. we are going to talk about reframing your story and how that could reframe your business.
You Don't Have to Share it All
Quite often as coaches, we think that we have to tell our origin story, all of it, warts and all. We think that we have to hustle hard to create a business. We think that we have to have suffered and that we have to have come through the other side before we can help people. And we think that we have to help people with the same things that coaching helped us.
Well, guess what? You do not have to do any of that. You do not have to tell ALL your story. You just need to tell the bits that work for the coaching that you are doing. You just need to be relatable.
And sometimes it is actually better to tell other people’s stories, the people you have coached, the people you have helped, and how you have created their transformations. Sometimes that is much more powerful than telling your own story, particularly if you have not processed all of it. Quite often, all of your story is not even relevant to the coaching you are doing now. Make sure that you are using the parts of your story that work really well for what you need to do.
Share What is Necessary
If you have had a burnout journey and you have processed it all and that is what you want to coach on, then that can be amazing. But if every time you see someone heading toward burnout you get triggered and start reliving your own experience, then that might not be the right area for you.
To build a business on your biggest struggle, you must make sure you have processed the pain and emotion so that you are not reliving it every time you coach, market, or sell. That is not sustainable and it will drain you. There are much better ways to create a thriving business. Constantly returning to that struggle is like being a crab dragged back into boiling water. That is not a good way to run a business or live your life.
Grow as You Go
It is a myth that you can only coach on your struggles or on things you have lived through. That is not true, especially for coaches. Our role is not to have all the answers, but to ask powerful questions, guide clients, and catch the sneaky thoughts that stop them.
Think about the areas you want to coach on—ones that light you up, that give you energy, and where clients value the results. Yes, it can be harder to coach in an area where you have no background, but it is still possible. The easiest path is to use parts of your story that you have processed, in areas you love, where there are plenty of clients who value coaching.
What got you here will not get you there. If you keep doing the same things, you will not move forward. Do not build your business on scarcity. Build it on strength. Yes, there will be discomfort as you grow—like breaking down muscles before they rebuild stronger but you do not have to destroy yourself every time you coach.
Pace Yourself
If you want to coach on struggles, make sure you have processed them fully so that you are not reliving them every time you speak, market, or step on stage. Coaching should give you energy. It should feel light and inspiring. Pick a niche that works for you and supports a sustainable business.
In SBT Episode 194:Are You Adding Value? I talked about adding value without the cost of burnout. Your business is not about your wounds. It is about the transformations you create for your clients. Tell stories of others you have helped.
For example, I helped Clay, a career coach who was burnt out, exhausted, and doubting whether she had made the right move leaving corporate. Coaching on burnout was not right for her, as she was still too close to it. Instead, we created a simple plan. She chose one audience, one struggle, and one area she loved. Within weeks she had more energy, better time management, balance in her life, and even time to play with her dog.
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Your Story Is Not Your Business
Your business does not have to be built on your past struggles. Share only what is relevant to your clients. Create a business that gives you energy, one that excites you to wake up each morning. And remember balance—book your holidays in first, because when your business is thriving, you may not want to stop. Make sure you build success while also prioritising self care.
Listen to the full episode of Small Business Talk episode 315.
You can also find the video versions of the Small Business Talk Episodes on YouTube.
