Here are the issues I see most often; however, I could list many more! If you recognize any of these tendencies in yourself, you should first know that you’re not alone! The second thing to know is that your business can and will grow if you conquer the inclinations that hold you back.

1. STOP ignoring your numbers.

Numbers are the one thing in life that tell an accurate, consistent story. If your business is struggling, it is certainly easier to ignore the financial facts, but number anxiety and avoidance only create a deeper abyss between you and your success. I’ve had clients who can’t even tell me what it costs to run their business or how much money they have in the bank. There is no shame in this; I get it, but unawareness of these facts is damaging, and the pain of not knowing is usually more profound than the truth behind your numbers.

Bite the bullet. Hire a bookkeeper or accountant and get your books in order. Organizing and understanding your numbers will give you a roadmap for your next steps and help you understand where to put your focus.

2. STOP doubting yourself.

Confidence is at the core of success; self-doubt is your greatest saboteur. It’s natural for confidence to ebb and flow, but if you get stuck in a loop of negative thinking and a lack of confidence, it will undoubtedly hold you back. So what if you fail at something? That’s how we learn and gain wisdom. Have the courage to fail and put the lion’s share of your focus on your many positive achievements.

3. STOP holding on to employees who don’t perform.

You believe it’s easier to have a warm body than to take the time to locate, hire and train a new employee, right? That belief is so, so wrong! I’ve worked with many business owners who’ve made this mistake. When they finally agree to take the leap and let go of an underperforming employee, they berate themselves for not doing it sooner. If the employee is well-meaning, it is even more difficult because now the entrepreneur feels terrible about letting them go. Most people don’t know that if a team member can’t keep up for any reason, they are as unhappy as you are. Release them, free yourself from a damaging situation, and you will both be much happier.

4. STOP accepting clients who are not on brand.

An essential part of your brand is knowing your ideal client. If you’re not clear on that, it would be wise to make it your next priority. Market only to that niche, and don’t step outside of it because you need the money because fear-driven decisions will always backfire. These clients will cause problems, you may not be able to meet their expectations, you won’t enjoy the work, and it will consume more time, keeping you from your ideal clients.

5. STOP avoiding growth strategies.

If you’re putting out fires, working on non-revenue producing tasks, and engaging in what we call, productive procrastination, you will notachieve revenue-generating growth. Such procrastination is usually a consequence of confusion, uncertainty, and fear, not a condition. Your first step is to separate revenue-generating action steps from tasks that are not the work of an entrepreneur. If you must do these other tasks (that’s a whole separate issue), schedule two hours of uninterrupted time to dedicate to them as often as needed throughout your week. Spend the remainder of your day, once again uninterrupted, being an entrepreneur. No excuses, no procrastination.

What’s next?

How can you gain clarity and find solutions to the issues that stand between you and your dreams of further success? It’s unlikely that you’ll do it alone. The good news is you can absolutely make it happen.

Most people believe it’s about buckling down, determination, and struggle. It doesn’t have to be this way. Hire a great coach. Work on yourself first, then your business, not the other way around. It’s your mindset that’s holding you and millions of other entrepreneurs back from the ultimate dream of freedom and happiness. And that, my friend, can be resolved.

The post 5 Growth-Stunting Habits You Must Stop Doing Now appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

In this post, I discuss the pros and cons of the 4 business coaching models I use, to give you an idea of which approach fits best.

These are: 

• Group coaching
• Hybrid coaching
• Self-paced learning
• One-to-one business coaching

How to Choose the Right Business Coach

Before you pick up the phone or fill out that contact form, do a bit of self-examination. 

• What are your goals, and what are the things that may get in the way of achieving them?
• Do pesky thoughts that don’t exactly support or inspire your goals pop into your head? Maybe they’re even pervasive thoughts?
• Are you too caught up in the day-to-day activities of running your business? This hinders your growth, financial security, and health and happiness.
• Do you need help to figure out the next steps—create a plan—for your business?
• Want to think bigger? Imagine all that’s possible?
• How do you think and feel on most days? Many entrepreneurs feel lonely inside. Some don’t entirely believe in themselves. (Make sure to download my Confidence Cocktail ebook if this is you!) 
• In what areas of your life and business do you need clarity?
• Do you want a professional at your side with whom to brainstorm and help you keep the promises that you make to yourself?

You may have a mixed list of answers: absolutely-yes, meh-sometimes, no-never. That’s cool. Now at least you have some idea of where you stand. Now, if you’re ready to do the work, the right business coach and an approach that fits your needs can rock your world.

Here are some of the most popular business coaching models. Once you think you know the type of coaching that may work best for you, pick up the phone or send a couple of emails to business coaches whom you’ve either heard about or found online. Questions? You just let me know!

Group coaching.

The group business coaching model is the business coaching model that is becoming more and more popular.

Standard group coaching programs include two or three live sessions each month with a small group of peers. This is valuable for solopreneurs and entrepreneurs who are just starting out. Peer support is powerful; other advantages include lower pricing and limited access to a seasoned coach. Some coaches offer larger groups programs focused mostly on motivation and inspiration, much of which comes from your peers. The larger groups sometimes meet once or twice a year for a weekend retreat and that can be fun. The weekly sessions are typically recorded, so if you miss one or if you’d like to review the content, you have the means to do so.

The drawbacks.

Groups are not a highly personalized experience, and you may require more than they have to offer. Most coaches don’t give group members direct access to them between calls, so if a problem crops up, you may not find the help you need. While peer support and encouragement from the coach is excellent, sometimes it wears off between calls. Make sure that the coach encourages the members to pair up and work with a partner for the duration of the program.

Hybrid Coaching Programs.

This is a popular business coaching model among coaches today is a mixture of recorded and live sessions. You’ll receive lessons on a daily or weekly basis in addition to a live monthly call for Q & A. These programs are fine if the coach specializes in something you need to learn, such as social media strategy.

The drawbacks.

The coach knows virtually nothing about you in these programs. They can be adequate platforms for learning, but a poor approach to coaching. If knowledge is your only block, the hybrid may help. If you want to support and personal growth, it’s not the right platform for you.

Self-paced learning.

These programs are pre-recorded and offer no live support from the program’s author. Again, affordability is the upside here. If the topic is of interest to you, it may be worth the investment.

The drawbacks.

Real personal growth is challenging to achieve in a recorded program since the coach knows nothing about you. They are very general programs, and you have no way of knowing how current the information is. Since there is no built-in accountability, only a highly motivated individual will complete the program and implement what they’ve learned.

One-to-one business coaching model.

If you wish to take significant strides, this business coaching model is the most powerful and enriching experience for an entrepreneur (with the right coach, of course). You will have a trusted relationship with your business coach and, if you stick with it, there are no limits to growth opportunities. You will find coaches who focus strictly on your business and coaches who support you in both personal and business growth.

The drawbacks.

Finding the right coach can be challenging. The one-to-one business coaching model with a successful coach does not come cheap. However, if you’re ready to do the work, the payoff is well worth it. Clients must be open-minded and accepting of change to make the investment worthwhile; there is no magic bullet. 

Talk with your potential business coach!

Tip: If you want to explore small group coaching or one-to-one coaching, make sure you speak directly with the coach. Coaches who work under the name of a well-known individual usually go through a brief training program, mainly so they can work under the label of the famed person’s brand. These programs are often pitched by a salesperson, not the coach.

When you speak with your potential business coach make sure you feel a good connection with them. If you don’t feel good when you speak with them, or if you have any reservations, talk about it on your call or a subsequent email or phone call.

Go ahead, take the next step. You don’t have to sign on the dotted line while you’re in the exploratory stages so look into coaching and see how it feels!

The post 4 Business Coaching Models to Consider Before Hiring a Business Coach appeared first on Marla Tabaka.

Below are only a few of the signs indicating that a business coach can help to elevate your personal and professional mindset and help to grow your small business in the most effective, expedient, and profitable way possible. But first, for those who fear they cannot afford a great coach, I want to paint a financial picture for you.

What does a business coach cost?

Really, the question should be, “how much more money can I make if I hire a great coach”. Still, the cost is a factor. Business coaches typically range from about $6,000 to $25,000 a year. Don’t make the mistake of believing that you get more for $25,000 than you do for, say, $15,000. Sometimes it’s only the marketing that’s more impressive, and other times you truly are paying for experience and success rates.

If you speak to a prospective coach and don't feel synergy, or you are uncertain if you're a good fit, then interview more coaches–don't settle. A business coach isn’t likely to tell you upfront how much he or she charges (it’s not good business), but most will schedule a no-cost consultation and reveal pricing there. Speak with coaches you believe you cannot afford, along with those who are less expensive. You are most likely to get your return on investment with a seasoned coach at your side.

Return on business coaching investment:

Coaches report clients’ ROI from seven to 49%. To me, ROI is a difficult discussion because it’s subjective. In my opinion (and that of the people I’ve worked with) there’s a significant return on investment that is not directly seen on spreadsheets: the removal of mental barriers that prevent success. With that said, not all business coaches focus on personal growth and mindset, so make that a topic of discussion when you interview your prospective coaches.

All-in-all, I can only speak for myself and the results that my clients experience (beyond eliminating the emotional barriers to success). I’ve helped solopreneurs go from very little monthly income to 20-30 thousand monthly. Entrepreneurs with scalable models have seen as much as 348% growth within two years (yes, you read that right). One particular client came to me averaging $120,000 a year in revenues, with about $34,000 in profit. Within 6 months she broke the million-dollar mark. A few years later she hit 45 MILLION in annual revenues.

Typically, my clients make back the money they’ve invested within 3-4 months, but of course, I cannot make any promises. So, when you think about whether or not you can afford a coach, think more about how the investment will pay off. An ethical coach will not take your business if he or she is not reasonably certain they can help you (the client’s level of participation is out of our hands).

Ready to find out if you will profit from business coaching? Contact me to find out!

What are the signs that you’re ready for a business coach? Here are 3 of many:

1. You feel overwhelmed and, at times, very lonely.

Only you are completely vested in the outcome of your decisions and, ultimately, your business. Even your spouse may not “get it”.  Your coach’s success is based on your success; we want you to succeed with every cell of our being. Working with a coach makes decision-making easier. Decision overload is a common block to progress and breeds more problems, but your problems are not unique to you. Believe me, we coaches have been through just about any obstacle and limiting belief you can think of many times over with previous clients (and in our own businesses). Coaches know what works and what does not, so there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. In addition, many coaches will help you get crystal clear on your vision, values, and strategy, which also eases the burden of decision-making and can rapidly increase profits.

2. Your business model works on paper, but not in reality.

You know it can work, so why isn’t your business making enough money? Entrepreneurs get too close to the problems to see the solutions. Your coach will take you outside of your business to a 5000-foot view of it. You will see your business from a fresh perspective and have an experienced person to collaborate with and help create processes and strategies to make your small business work.

Secondly, you’re probably in your own way.  Whether it’s conscious or unconscious self-sabotage, your monkey-mind stops you in your tracks. A talented coach will help you break the self-sabotage habit and develop and maintain an empowering mindset.

3. You want a safe place to process, vent, and brainstorm.

Many prospects with already profitable businesses come to me for support, accountability, and collaboration. They need a place to collect their thoughts, affirm their choices, and bounce around ideas. Successful people understand the power that’s found in a great coach/client relationship. They aren’t necessarily looking to fix anything but to continue to evolve, grow, and prosper.

Yes, you're ready for a business coach.

How about it? Are you ready for a business coaching relationship? Typically, it costs you nothing to find out. Feel free to contact me or ask your peers for their coach’s names, search online, and inquire on social media. You will find many of us out there who want to help you, but you are the only one who can determine which person feels just right for you.

Contact me for your complimentary consultation today!

The post Should I Hire a Business Coach? 3 Signs That Say You’re Ready appeared first on Marla Tabaka.