Look, coach. We’ve all been there. You dream of building a thriving coaching business, helping people achieve their goals, and becoming the time-freedom, beach-laptop legend you see on Instagram.
Be warned, some elements of this blog post might be uncomfortable to read. Remember, this is guidance, use your best judgement based on your situation.
But then reality hits you like a rogue email notification from your boss. Your 9-5 job sucks the life (and frankly, the time) out of you, leaving your coaching dreams feeling like a dusty box of projects in your attic.
Sound familiar?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of aspiring coaches are locked in this side-hustle stalemate. But fear not! Here’s the truth bomb you need to hear: your 9-5 doesn’t have to be the death knell of your coaching aspirations.
(Unless it involves manually sorting paperclips. Then, yeah, maybe get out of there.)
Instead, let’s channel our inner Tim Ferriss and hack the system. Here’s how to break free from the 9-5 prison and inject some serious growth hormones into your coaching business, all while keeping your boss (hopefully) happy.
The Energy Drain: Why Your 9-5 Can Be a Side Hustle Killer
Let’s face it, your 9-5 can be a real energy vampire. Between endless meetings, soul-crushing reports, and that colleague who loves the sound of their own voice, your mental and emotional reserves are left depleted by the time you clock out.
This, my friend, is a recipe for side-hustle stagnation. Here’s how your 9-5 can hold you back:
- Time Thief: Those 8+ hours spent in the office eat into the precious time you could be building your coaching empire.
- Mental Fog: Dealing with office politics and stale tasks leaves your brain fried, making it hard to muster the creative energy needed to build your coaching programs.
- Motivation Meltdown: Feeling unfulfilled by your day job can seriously drain your motivation to tackle your coaching side hustle when you finally do have some free time.
The Plot Twist: How to Make Your 9-5 Your Coaching Ally
Hold on, before you start composing your two-weeks’ notice in a fit of righteous indignation, let’s reframe your perspective. That 9-5 job, the one you might secretly loathe, can actually be a powerful ally in your coaching journey. Here’s how:
- Time Audit: Instead of feeling robbed by your 9-5, audit your time. Is that afternoon spent “strategizing” with Kevin from accounting actually just a Netflix binge in disguise? Identify time sucks and reclaim those precious minutes for coaching.
- Skill Sharpening: Believe it or not, your 9-5 could be honing skills that translate beautifully to your coaching. Communication, project management, and even conflict resolution (hello, dealing with difficult clients!) are all transferable skills.
- Resource Leverage: Is your company known for its killer online training platforms or slick design software? Use those resources (ethically, of course) to create top-notch materials for your coaching programs. There’s no shame in leveraging existing tools!
The Tim Ferriss Approach: Optimising Your Side Hustle
Alright, so your 9-5 isn’t the enemy (yet), but you still need to optimize your side hustle for maximum impact. Here’s where the Tim Ferriss spirit kicks in – let’s work smarter, not harder:
- Batching: Schedule dedicated “coaching creation” times where you focus solely on developing your programs, marketing materials, or client interactions. Batching maximizes efficiency and prevents context-switching headaches. Often, for many people, their ‘best time’ is in the morning. If you work from home, spend 8am-9am on your coaching business.
- The Power of “No”: Learn to politely decline social engagements or time-consuming errands that steal precious coaching time. Your side hustle deserves your focus!
- Outsource Like a Boss: Delegate tasks you loathe (think website maintenance or social media scheduling) to free up your energy for the high-impact activities that only you can do.
Remember: Don’t try to be a hero. Leverage technology, delegate tasks, and focus on the areas where your unique talents shine.
The Final Word: Your Coaching Journey Starts Now
The key to overcoming the 9-5 vs. side hustle stalemate is action. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time, because it might never come. Start with small, achievable steps, leverage the resources you already have, and optimize your time for maximum impact.
Your dream of becoming a successful coach isn’t some distant fantasy. It’s a reachable goal, but it requires a strategic approach. Here are some additional tips to keep you moving forward:
- Set SMART Goals: Don’t just dream of “growing your coaching business.” Define what “growth” means to you with Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. Aim to land X clients in Y months, or develop Z new coaching programs by a specific date.
- Find Your Hustle Tribe: Surround yourself with other aspiring coaches or successful entrepreneurs. Their support, encouragement, and shared experiences can be a powerful motivator.
- Celebrate Every Win: Every client you land, every email opt-in, every positive testimonial – celebrate these milestones! Acknowledge your progress and keep the momentum going.
Remember, building a successful coaching business takes time and dedication. But by approaching it strategically, leveraging your resources (including your 9-5!), and taking consistent action, you can break free from the side-hustle stalemate and turn your coaching dreams into reality.
Now get out there and coach the heck out of your clients!
A great book on this is Essentialism by Greg McKeown
If you’re ready to overcome your limiting beliefs and become a successful coach, I encourage you to attend one of our 1-Day Coaching Diplomas to start your coaching journey. For those who want more speaking support, here is the link to our speaking training. It’ll help you to develop a plan to achieve your goals and build a successful coaching business. You can also find our beginners guide to becoming a coach here.
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