Protecting Yourself and Your Business: The Power of Self-Care for Coaches

Episode 5: Transcript

Thanks for tuning into the Crack the Coaching C.O.D.E.™ podcast, hosted by yours truly, Chareen Goodman, Founder of Crack the Coaching C.O.D.E.™. I'm so glad to have you listening today. As coaches, we all share a passion for helping others achieve their goals, right? But in the current state of the coaching industry, many coaches, I believe, find themselves constantly hustling, juggling client demands, marketing their business, and working long hours, all while neglecting their own well-being. 

In this episode, we're going to talk about a topic that's often touched upon but often neglected when it comes to actually putting it into practice, and that is self-care. We'll discuss why being the boss requires a different mindset than operating your business as if you are an employee, and how incorporating self-care into your business practices can help you build a successful coaching business. As coaches, we operate in a challenging and demanding business environment. We often work tirelessly to help our clients achieve those big, hairy, audacious, and transformational goals that they want. But in the process, we may forget to take care of our own big, hairy, audacious, and transformational needs. 

We can easily fall into the trap of constantly doing things for others and neglecting ourselves. If you're running your own coaching business, you know how difficult it can be to switch off and take time out for yourself. You may feel that you must always be available for your clients, work long hours and hustle to make ends meet. But this approach is simply not sustainable and can lead to burnout, stress, and ultimately a decline in the quality of your work which will impact your money and your success. We know it, we see it, and it's true. The coaching industry is rapidly growing and more and more people are entering the market each year. And with increased competition, it can feel as if it's becoming harder to stand out and build a successful coaching business. And let's face it, it probably is. But that's why it's more important than ever to prioritize self-care so you can compete effectively. 

By the end of this podcast, you'll have an increased awareness of the importance of self-care in building a successful coaching business. A shift in mindset from a doing mentality to a being mentality so that you are more empowered to take control of yourself while building your business. So my friends, let us make ourselves comfortable. Grab a refreshing beverage, equip yourself with a pen and paper, and let's dive in. 

Hi everyone. I'm thrilled to have you joining us for the second part of our podcast today on how to take care of yourself while running a coaching business. In this segment, we'll be talking about how important it is to take a step back and focus on being instead of always doing. When we talk about doing versus being, I'm referring to making a mindset shift from being task-oriented to being focused on your identity as a boss and business owner. Doing versus being is a concept that can be applied to all areas of life, including running a coaching business. It's about stepping into the role of the leader and creator of your own path, rather than just following instructions or doing things the way you've been taught. But what exactly do we mean by doing versus being? 

Well, a doing mindset is all about completing tasks within a given timeline. This mindset may have worked well when you were in a traditional employment setting, but it's not what you need when it comes to running your business. A being mindset means taking charge of your business and creating your own way that works for you. It means being the boss and making decisions that align with your values and your goals. You're not simply following a set of instructions, but rather you're using your creativity and intuition to shape your business. As a coach, it's essential to shift your mindset from doing to being. If you want to build a successful coaching business, that means you need to stop focusing solely on completing tasks and start being the boss of your own business. In other words, creating your own way, taking charge of your business, and being confident in your decisions. That includes making the decision to make space for self-care. How can you build a wildly successful coaching business if you are burnt out and exhausted all the time? 

So how can you shift your mindset from doing to being? Well, here are a few suggestions that I think will help you make this mindset shift. First, it's important to establish a clear vision for your business and your life. Having a clear vision can make all the difference. So ask questions what do you want to accomplish? How do you want to impact your clients? How do you want to operate your business, et cetera? Once you have a clear vision, you can begin to make decisions that align with your vision. Then be confident in your decisions, trust your instincts, and know that you have the skills and knowledge to make the right choices for you and your coaching business. Second, you have to prioritize your self-care. The bottom line is that you have got to take care of yourself as a business owner and whatever is required to do that in a healthy and productive way, of course, should be baked into your business plan. Hey, I get it. As a coach, you're used to taking care of others, but it's crucial to prioritize your own well-being. 

This could mean setting aside time each day for a morning meditation or perhaps reading scriptures, exercising, or whatever else helps you that you need to do to revitalize and recharge for your business journey, not the sprint. The third thing to cultivate the being mindset is to be willing to take risks and embrace any resemblance of failure. As a business owner, you'll face challenges and setbacks, but these are opportunities to learn and grow and course correct along your entrepreneurial journey. Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks in order to move your business forward. Experiment, explore to find that enlightenment that you're looking for, and taking the time to allow yourself to care for yourself in the process by making this mindset shift from doing to being can really position you to be mindful to take charge of your business and create your own path to your desired success. It's your business and you should be the one leading the way. 

I also get that making this mindset shift can be challenging, but it's crucial to building a successful coaching business. By shifting your mindset to focus on being the boss and taking ownership of your business, you can create a path that's uniquely yours and lead your business to the vision of success that you can uniquely call your own. 

Welcome back to our podcast about self-care for coaches. In this segment, we'll dive into the big kahuna… the importance of self-care for coaches who are running their own coaching business. As coaches, we know that our role is to help others to live better lives, and we spend a lot of time doing that. But in that process, we often forget to take care of ourselves. From this point forward, let's make a commitment that it's time to prioritize our well-being so we can be the best version of ourselves for our clients. 

So what exactly is self-care? Self-care is a practice in and of itself. It's the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, particularly during times of stress. You can practice self-care in many ways, such as eating right, drinking water, exercising, meditation, or simply taking a break from your daily work as a business owner. Now, let's talk about why self-care is so important. 

I want you to imagine a coach named Connie who never takes a break and works long hours every day in her coaching business. One day, Connie wakes up feeling exhausted and totally unmotivated to do the things she knows she needs to do to build and grow her coaching business. She begins to realize she's burnt out with all the hustling she's been doing. But after listening to a podcast like this. She now realizes she needs to take a step back to prioritize her well-being or she will not survive as a business owner. After taking a break, she creates a self-care routine and actually implements it. And in just a few weeks of regularly scheduled self-care, Connie starts to feel more energized. She's focused and productive. She's able to show up as the best version of herself for her clients, leading to better coaching sessions, more clients, and ultimately more money and success in her business. Connie is actually happy. 

Wouldn't you like this to be your story? 

Well, let's take a look at some ways you can incorporate a bit more self-care into your life and have a transformational story too. First, it's important to create a self-care routine that works for you. This may include scheduling time off for activities that you enjoy, such as going for a walk, reading a book, or taking a bubble bath. This routine should be tailored to your individual needs and your lifestyle. Second, it's important to set boundaries and stick to them. And I mean really stick to them. 

This means setting limits on the amount of work you take on and making sure you carve out time for yourself. For example, you could set aside one day a week where you don't work at all and spend the entire day doing things you actually love doing. Do you have a hobby? And no, I'm not talking about your business. I'm talking about things like going to the museum, sitting in an outdoor cafe, sipping coffee, going to a nearby lake, and putting your feet in the water. Here's the deal. Make your fun list and do the things that you put on that list. 

Lastly, I want you to prioritize your own mental and physical health. So this may mean getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge yourself. You know what you need to do. You're the boss and you can give yourself permission to do it. You have absolute control over your mind, you have absolute control over your time, and you have absolute control over your money. Incorporating self-care into your routine can lead to numerous benefits, and I mean numerous benefits as a business owner and coach. And these include things like increased productivity, taking breaks, and prioritizing your well being can actually make you more productive and efficient when you're working. It'll help you in making better decisions. 

When you take care of yourself, you're better equipped to make sound decisions and handle stress a whole lot better. Self-care practices can improve your mental and physical health, leading to a happier and more fulfilling life and even a more successful coaching business. At the end of the day, taking care of yourself is paramount if you are a coach who wants to achieve and maintain success by creating a self-care routine, setting boundaries, and prioritizing your own well-being. You'll be able to show up as the best version of yourself for your clients. And that is so important. Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is necessary.

Welcome back to our podcast episode on self-care for coaches who are running their own coaching business. Now let's dive into a few self-care strategies that you can implement to take care of yourself as you build and grow the coaching business of your dream. As a coach, we can sometimes feel like we need to be constantly working and hustling to build our business. Can I get an amen on that? But neglecting your own self-care because you're doing the hustle can lead to burnout and even failure in the long run. It's just not sustainable. That's why it's important to prioritize your self-care as a regular part of your business practices. 

One of the best self-care strategies you can employ is to schedule actual downtime. This means intentionally setting aside time in your schedule for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenating fun. It could be something as simple as taking a break, to read a book, to meditate, or to take a walk. Whatever it is, make sure you're doing something that makes you feel refreshed and recharged. 

I did a modified version of this yesterday. Yesterday I decided to take the entire day off for some much-needed self-care. I noticed that I wasn't able to fully concentrate on my work and I knew that taking a day off would help me recharge and be more productive for the remainder of my week. So I cleared my schedule for the day, except for one call that I had scheduled with a developer who wanted to interview me about his AI tool that I use in my business. Instead of working, I spent the day with my mate who is also his own boss. We had breakfast together and spent the day enjoying each other's company. The sun was shining and we soaked up some much needed vitamin D with coffee and conversations. It felt like living. When it was time for my call with the developer, I didn't have to rush back to the office or stress about being late. But yesterday was a reminder that self-care is not only important for our mental and physical health but also for our business success. 

Another strategy that is very powerful for self-care is to set boundaries. As a coach, it's important to establish boundaries with clients and even with yourself. This can mean saying no to opportunities that simply do not align with your values or goals. By setting boundaries, you're prioritizing your own needs and well-being, and that is a good thing. 

The third strategy I want you to consider is practicing mindfulness. This is also a powerful self-care strategy. Mindfulness involves being present at the moment and focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. This can help you manage stress and anxiety, especially when you are aware of what's going on, and increase your overall sense of well-being. Mindfulness allows you to get in tune with yourself and some ways to practice mindfulness include meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking a few minutes to reflect on your day, to be grateful, and to seek peace. By taking care of yourself, you'll be better equipped to serve your clients and achieve your business goals. So don't be afraid to make self-care a priority. 

Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for building a sustainable and successful business. 

Welcome back, everyone. I hope you enjoyed learning about some self-care strategies that you can implement. In this segment, we'll wrap up our discussion on the importance of self-care for coaches who run their own coaching business. As a quick recap, we discussed why self-care is crucial for coach who want to build a successful coaching business. We explored different self-care strategies, including scheduling downtime, setting boundaries, and practicing mindfulness. Now, let's conclude by talking about the next steps you can take to prioritize self-care in your coaching business. 

First, I want to recommend that you take some time to reflect on your current self-care habits. On a scale of one to ten, how do you rank and identify areas where you can improve and make a plan to prioritize self-care going forward? Maybe it's scheduling a regular weekly self-care activity or setting boundaries around your work hours. 

Second, if you have a support system like friends, family or a business coach, don't forget to include them in your self-care plans. Your loved ones, colleagues, or even a mentor can help keep you accountable and true to your self-care practices. 

And third, always remember that self-care is not just about treating yourself once in a while. It's a necessary practice that should be incorporated into your everyday business routine. Start small and gradually increase the amount of time you dedicate to self-care. 

Lastly, I'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts and self-care strategies with us on social media or via email. Let us know what you found helpful in this episode and how you plan to prioritize self-care in your coaching business. And with that, my friends, we've come to the end of today's episode on self-care strategies for coaches. 

Thank you for listening and don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more tips and strategies for building a successful coaching business. Two if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us via our website or social media channels. This is Chareen Goodman, founder of Crack the Coaching C.O.D.E.™, signing off. Until next time, take care and be blessed.