I can’t tell you how many times I’ve entered into a conversation with a coach who says she wants to start her coaching business, but she “doesn’t have time.”
Does this sound familiar?
You have a full-time J-O-B. You have a spouse and kids and friends. You have errands and cooking and dishes. You have to get an oil change. And if it’s an oil change this week, it’s a doctor’s appointment next week, and a filling the following week.
Life is busy, and starting your own business seems insurmountable, given all the time constraints you face.
If you’re here, I consider you one of my unofficial coaching clients. So today, you can expect to get a little tough-love-style coaching. (You’re welcome. 🙂 )
If you don’t think you have enough time to start your business, you’re wrong. (I know. Ouch. But stick with me.)
This is NOT an issue of time management. It’s an issue of priorities.
You see, time is your most precious commodity. It’s a non-renewable resource.
You give your time to the things you consider most important.
Sometimes, when you’re not paying attention, your calendar gets full with the “external.” Maybe a friend invites you to lunch and you pencil it in. You realize you’ve run out of milk and you have to run to the store. You volunteer to run a bake sale at your kids’ school, and that’s an hour out of your day. See where I’m going with this? We allow outside influences (friends, family, boss, kid-related activities and events, etc.) to add countless items to our calendar all the time.
In cases like these, life happens TO you. It really can feel like you don’t have time to think about, focus on, or (especially) work on your business.
Don’t worry, there is good news in all of this: you can regain control of your time and your life. And you can make the time to work on your business.
It’s all about priorities.
Here’s a simple exercise for determining where your priorities are now, whether they align with what you want them to be, and how to adjust them if they don’t.
Identify What’s Most Important to You.
I always love a good brain dump! Take a few minutes to write down the things that are most important to you, right now. These may take the form of goals, like running a marathon or starting your business, or activities, like spending time with your family or exercising. Then, prioritize them. Put a #1 next to the item that’s absolutely the most important to you, and go from there.
Identify Your Current (Real) Priorities.
When I say, “Identify your current priorities,” I mean, figure out where you’re investing your time. Look at your calendar or schedule for the past several days or week, and write down the three activities on which you spend most of your time.
Compare Your Current Priorities with the Priorities You Chose in Step 1.
Once you know where you’re investing your time, evaluate whether those activities are in alignment with the most important things in your life.
If your current priorities align with the three most important things in your life, that’s great! And if your business isn’t on either list, that’s okay—now may not be the right time for your business.
On the other hand, you may identify your top three priorities and realize they’re not the most important things in your life right now.
Adjust Your Schedule.
Becoming conscious of where you’re investing your time versus where you should be investing your time, if you want to focus on your priorities, is an important step toward making time for what truly matters to you.
Now, it’s time to make changes to your schedule that empower you to give time to your true priorities.
Here’s another piece of coaching: you may need to let go of some things that are not easy to let go of.
- For example, if you’re accustomed to working 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in your day job, consider working 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and working on your business for those two remaining hours.
- If you’re accustomed to waking up at 7 a.m. to start your day, get up at 5 a.m.
- Take shorter lunch breaks.
- Spend a couple of hours every weekend morning working on your business.
- Say no to lunch out, so you can work on your business during day-job lunch breaks.
I’m telling you, this works.
A recent graduate of our Easy Breezy Coaching Business Bootcamp was supporting her husband, and they had three kids under seven and a fourth on the way. Her business was a top priority, so she got creative and resourceful and was able to get her business up and running by fitting entrepreneurship in with her family (and other) responsibilities.
A current Bootcamper has two kids, a full-time job, and a part-time job. She’s supporting her husband. Getting her business up and running is a priority. That’s why she finds time to work on it! She wakes up earlier, takes shorter lunch breaks, and finds little chunks of time—because it’s important to her.
Even small chunks of time can yield amazing results. (Think about how much you get done in an eight-hour period before you go on vacation!)
Repeat This Mantra:
“I have all the time I need for my priorities.”
Work It!
Once you get used to prioritizing and setting your schedule around your priorities, you’ll be amazed at how much you can get done.
I’d love to hear from you!
Post in the comments below: right off the bat, can you think of anything you’re spending your time on, that’s not actually one of your priorities?
I liked Stephanie’s comment because it also reflects me and my behavior. In starting over with my coaching business after a couple of years where many other things took up my time, I know now that I must prioritize if I am to be successful in building a coaching practice.
This is a great clarity exercise! I am happy to say my business did show up on all my lists. I feel like it is finally “my time” and it feels different than in the past. Consistency has always been a struggle because I was not ready to fully commit. Awareness, intention, action! I am connecting with people and programs that are the answer to my prayers!
Milinda, so good to feel understood and to receive permission to move into what I am missing. Priorities, priorities are so important to SEE. Important to honor and bring into my life. I am battling this all the time. I see today that I can have priorities and easily honor them. By just seeing what I M doing to myself and my living and doing.
This morning I sat down to read what you had posted and it is what I know and don’lrt Myself own it. Putting myself and my wants (and Needs) upfront without all the old excuses feels freein at this time. HERE’s to FREEDOM. Thanks
The catch for me at this time is that my todo’s evolve around medical Test results etc.
So as. Result of your messages today I am adopting the attitude that I can and am “doing it” and honor myself and my needs as I go. Thanks for your wisdom and sharing. Hugs, Sharon ?
Very good and motivating article I must say. Identifying priorities and working on them with systematic efforts is at the core of success.Here the ‘need’has to be strong.This gives the ‘push’to make things happen and sets you rolling. I understand my priorities, my desires and my passion. I also have a strong need. After retirement I’m more of a (responsible) housekeeper, managing multiple domestic chores. Time management is my weaker area where I need to be more selective. Your article helps me to reset my time schedule and gives that ‘push’!
Thanks again
Hi Melinda,
I think your suggestions are valuable, but there may be a more practical avenue that pays off. It takes time to work out processes for diagnosing core issues and forming viable strategies to help clients move forward and improve. It is hard to schedule client consultations during down time, especially if you cannot easily pre-book time to counsel clients in revenue-producing sessions, but it may be more practical to work on your methodology to prepare for future sessions. Unless you plan to ad-lib your coaching (and have the experience to do that) preparation reinforces the notion of being well-prepared before you interact with clients. It builds confidence, even if your first client interactions are low-key efforts. You can work on promoting your services by writing small articles based on your preparation for different fields of interest you think will be in demand (even if you start by writing reviews like this). Once you get more in the groove you can replace a 9-5 job with coaching clients: you can consider committing yourself to that new career and stop the 9-5 rat race. When you approach prospects, they will already be warmed up to your services and a first call does not have to be a cold call.
Regards, Frits
that is PRECISELY what we teach in our community and especially in our Easy Breezy Bootcamp with our Roadmap to Success… our ongoing mantra is “get prepared in advance!” I totally agree with you!
Thank you for this TRUTH. I spend too much time thinking about my finances. TODAY, after reading this very healthy reasoning, I’m committing to pursuing the priorities I’ve set no matter what. I have found new direction. THANKS!
you are so welcome!
I have a safe cushion that I use as an excuse not to push my coaching practice. I’ve landed many opportunities that will help expand my practice but I’m stuck. Thanks for emails that are very insightful and motivating!
Simple way to make the changes required. Very practical!
I love your energy and the photo of your hometown is fantastic. I live in New Zealand. I have a vege/plant/baking stall outside my front gate and this supplements my income. I have set up a Facebook page entitled Sugar Lumps and Carrots and I am hoping to re-start my coaching in the equestrian field. Not an easy task as there are any number of coaches out there. But..God loves a trier and I am trying. Thanks for the stimulating email.