6 Coaching tips to enable you to do those things you keep putting off!
You know ‘those things’ you should be doing for your business, but keep putting them off? This is how you to get them done!
If you are working for yourself, you need to do every job in the book. You are the product inventor, the sales director, head of marketing; you work on the production line, in distribution and are the financial controller too. Not forgetting customer service and a host of other tasks. So at times, it may feel like you need to be a superhero to be able to get everything done!
And here’s the rub. None of us started our own businesses to do all those tasks we don’t enjoy, did we? So, therefore, there are some things that we keep on putting off. Things we know we should do for our business, but just put on tomorrow’s to do list instead! What are the things you keep putting off? Let me know in the comments!
So how do we get those important, but not urgent, things done?
Here are my half a dozen coaching tips drawn from over 20 years as a coach, innovator, mentor and continual learner!
1) Face your fear
Quite often, we avoid doing something because we are worried. Maybe we are worried how we will come across, what other people will think of us?
Perhaps, we are worried we are not good enough, or that our offer is not perfect yet. Sometimes, we are fearful that we come across as pushy or salesy! I know of people who don’t like asking customers for money, so avoid invoicing them, or chasing them – what is the fear here?
Let me tell you now, “All these fears are natural“. Every human (well maybe except psychopaths) has them.
We cannot control what other people think of us. This may be hard to accept, but if you spend your life trying to please others – you will ultimately be living the life others want of you. Don’t you think you should be living your own life?
So, I implore you, step up and face your fear. Do that thing that is uncomfortable, because as George Addair is quoted as saying, “Everything you have ever wanted, is sitting on the other side of fear.”
2) Say NO to things that don’t serve your goals. eg habits, people, things
Do you know someone who is good at saying no, or says no a lot? What do you think of them? Are they unhelpful, or are they focussed on their goals?
When you get to work each morning, is the first thing you do is check your emails?
If you do, who’s agenda are you serving? The person that sent the email of course! Now, I’m not saying don’t ever check your communications, but you should start your day deciding what you want to achieve. What are your goals for the day (or week, or month?). Then plan out how you are going to spend your time to achieve these goals.
We could go even deeper with this and look into relationships and associations. For example, there may be people in your life who are a drain on your resources. If this is the case, can you say no to some of their demands, or find others ways to help them, or even help them to help themselves? I am not saying don’t be helpful – I think one should – just consider when you should be saying no.
I recommend you write down all the habits you have. Consider how often and when you use social media, what breaks do you give yourself, where does exercise or mindfulness fit into your day or week. Then once you have this list, identify which ones are enablers and which are distractions. Then start saying no to the distractions.
3) Gain the capabilities you need – quickly.
We mentioned before that you are a superhero! However, if there is a skill or knowledge you need for your business to grow, or a capability you require to perform higher, then acquiring them efficiently should be your priority. Let’s look at an example:
Perhaps you are amazing at creating products. From design to prototyping to production and sourcing. However, when it comes to sales, you don’t know where to start and really don’t like doing it. What should you do? Of course you could outsource sales to a specialist. That could work, but nothing beats your passion and knowledge of the product, so let’s assume you decide to research sales techniques. How long is it going to take to get you up to speed, and become and effective salesperson?
I believe you should pay for speed! Time is more precious than money. So use money to fast-track the capabilities you need. Pay for a course, or coaching and learn these skills. The quicker you learn them, the quicker you can deploy them, and also – you will no longer fear that part of business.
Compare spending a year researching vs paying for a course of training with an industry expert. Which is going to return you the most value?
Invest in yourself. I have, and even though I am a coach myself, I also have a coach! If you’re interested, please check him out here: https://johnwebinar.mattwardmarketing.com
4) Build the courage to take uncomfortable, uncertain action – and do those things you keep putting off
Having identified and faced your fear, said no to things that distract and have obtained the skills you need to succeed, it is time to TAKE ACTION.
This will be a time of uncertainty. Is my product good enough? Am I good enough? Will people respect me? Aren’t other products out there better than mine? I’m no good at marketing? Should I use Facebook ads or try SEO?
Take action.
Your actions may be uncertain, or imperfect – but they are way better than the alternatives: Pontification, fiddling, not doing anything or trying to perfect something.
Take action.
And having taken action, learn, refine and act again.
5) Give other people what they want, not what you think they need
Early in life I heard the phrase, “Go-getters” and that they were the successful ones.
Fortunately I also heard the phrase, “Be a go-giver”. This is the one I believe.
The key to success in life, and business, is to give. If you give value and help and kindness and advice and share knowledge, experience and all you can – you will help people. I don’t know about you, but I like people who are helpful! I often repay them again and again. This works in business too. If you give value, or even exceptional value, people will be willing to pay for it.
The secret is to give them what they want – not what you think they need. Understand their wants and desires (and yes, needs), and give them that. In return they will reward you with loyalty and custom.
6) “The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday” Annonymous
This is my final thought.
Keep learning, keep growing, keep living.
I truly hope this helps you do those things you keep putting off and please let me know about your successes and learnings (some people call these mistakes).
If you are interested in reading more about how to succeed, please read my other blog on how to really FOCUS. Or if you want a free report to help you understand how to succeed online, then you can download that here:
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