On those slow months when clients don’t call and business doesn’t come do you ever wonder what’s going on? Has God forgotten you? Is this coaching business really from Him?
When profits plummet, doubts crowd in.
That’s when I recall that while I spend my days trying to grow a business, God spends His days trying to grow me.
God’s fierce commitment to making me like Christ brings easy days and hard ones. But they all culminate in me becoming someone who can better serve those He has called me to love.
Here are a few of the simple but profound truths He is teaching me on this business-building journey. If you look, I’ll bet you’ll see He’s nurturing these same qualities in you.
Be Brave
I love playing it safe, staying inside the box and keeping my security blanket clenched firmly in my fist.
But no one ever grew their business (or their character) from inside their comfort zone. At least, that’s what God continually whispers to me.
I’ll never forget my first-ever networking event. I was listening to the scheduled presenter, picking at my rubber chicken and rice, when God pointed out the power of public speaking and urged me to give it a try.
“But God, I’ve never given a speech before.” “I don’t have anything special to say.” “Who would ever listen to me?”
Silence…
Apparently, He liked this plan.
Trembling in my high-heeled shoes, I approached the meeting planner and asked her if at some point in the future I would be allowed to speak.
She pulled out her calendar and set a date.
The deed was done.
Months later, terror still filling my heart, I delivered the speech, wowed the crowd and learned that playing it safe is over-rated. Bravely trusting God is what wins the day.
Be Generous
It was a simple act of obedience. Nothing more, nothing less. When the recession hit, coaching clients disappeared and Christian coaches everywhere struggled to survive. It broke my heart.
As a Certified Get Clients Now FacilitatorTM, I knew I could help. With no thought of return, I emailed Judy Santos, then head of the Christian Coaches Network, and offered to lead a free Get Clients Now group for any interested coaches. She jumped on board, advertised my one group and it filled – and then spilled into two.
I led the groups, was pleased with the results, and never gave it another thought.
Now, years later, as I trace the origins of my current path, I see how God used that one act of generosity to bless me in extraordinary ways.
Hosting the groups led to Judy asking me to speak at her Virtual Conference. At the virtual conference Chris McCluskey (founder of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute) heard me speak and invited me to teach with him. Today I have the privilege of training Christian coaches who partner with God to change the world.
And it all began because God prompted me to give to others in need.
Be Persistent
“I’d like to hire you as my coach,” said Darlene from the other end of my phone.
“Absolutely.” I replied. “May I ask how you happened to come across my name?”
“Sure,” she said, “Three years ago I heard you speak to my group.”
Three years ago!
Wars have been fought and won in less time than that.
“How long of a sales cycle does coaching have?” I wondered.
The answer? As long as it takes to reach that person in need.
Now please understand, my speech wasn’t so brilliant that for three years this woman remembered my name. But at that event, as at every speaking engagement, I gathered names and emails to add people to my newsletter list.
So, unbeknownst to me, month after month for the past 36 months, my helpful articles and smiling face showed up in her inbox and somehow ministered to her soul.
When she was ready, in God’s perfect time, she knew, liked and trusted me enough to hire me as her coach.
God called me to be a coach. In my ideal world, I’d put up my website on Monday and by Tuesday I’d have so many clients that I would be turning people away.
God has a different business-building plan in mind. He is in business of growing people – in this case, me. And I’ll grow more like Him by living, loving, losing, sacrificing, serving and trusting just as Jesus did while He lived on earth. One day at a time. One person at a time. One act of faith at a time.
And as He teaches me to be brave, generous and persistent, He grows my business along the way.
It’s Your Turn
I would love to hear what is God teaching you as He grows both you and your business.
Love this Kim! One of your best.
Thanks for stopping by, Kinsey. I always appreciate you.
Love this Kim! One of your best.
Thanks for stopping by, Kinsey. I always appreciate you.
What an absolutely brilliant post, Kim. It encourages me to look behind the screens to see what God is doing and to focus on that rather than on what I think is not happening. Your points are also so very scriptural – generosity, persistence and courage – all things that the Father wants to grow in us. Thank you.
Hi Oge, I agree that peeking behind the scenes really helps me change my focus and my attitude. I just need to remind myself to do it more often :).
What an absolutely brilliant post, Kim. It encourages me to look behind the screens to see what God is doing and to focus on that rather than on what I think is not happening. Your points are also so very scriptural – generosity, persistence and courage – all things that the Father wants to grow in us. Thank you.
Hi Oge, I agree that peeking behind the scenes really helps me change my focus and my attitude. I just need to remind myself to do it more often :).
“And as He teaches me to be brave, generous and persistent, He grows my business along the way.”
Yup!! Only problem is, I keep having to go back to first grade, especially on the “Brave” part. And sometimes on the “persistent” part. Thanks for the reminders!
I’ll join you back in first grade, Pam. I feel like I’m always relearning the same lessons again and again. I’m so glad God doesn’t give up on us!
“And as He teaches me to be brave, generous and persistent, He grows my business along the way.”
Yup!! Only problem is, I keep having to go back to first grade, especially on the “Brave” part. And sometimes on the “persistent” part. Thanks for the reminders!
I’ll join you back in first grade, Pam. I feel like I’m always relearning the same lessons again and again. I’m so glad God doesn’t give up on us!
Wow…great post! And timely too! He’s teaching me the value of consistency (mostly how I need more of it!).
Ah, consistency, that elusive trait. If you find a magic pill, let me know. If not, I’ll pray for you as I pray for myself :).
Wow…great post! And timely too! He’s teaching me the value of consistency (mostly how I need more of it!).
Ah, consistency, that elusive trait. If you find a magic pill, let me know. If not, I’ll pray for you as I pray for myself :).
Encouraged. Thank you Kim.
Thanks, Mathabo. You made me smile.
Encouraged. Thank you Kim.
Thanks, Mathabo. You made me smile.
This is just what the Lord has been doing in my life and business! While growing a coaching business takes time, I have held on to Habakkuk 2:3 to remind myself of what God has called me to and, while I allow Him to work in me, He will work in my business as well. These past few months have been a time of reevaluating and reprioritizing ( a challenge in itself) and then making the necessary changes in my daily life to reflect these values and priorities. As I trust the Lord, I see things changing. As always, His plan is the best plan!
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Beautiful connection with Habakkuk 2:3. Thanks for sharing what God is doing in your life and your business. Good stuff.
This is just what the Lord has been doing in my life and business! While growing a coaching business takes time, I have held on to Habakkuk 2:3 to remind myself of what God has called me to and, while I allow Him to work in me, He will work in my business as well. These past few months have been a time of reevaluating and reprioritizing ( a challenge in itself) and then making the necessary changes in my daily life to reflect these values and priorities. As I trust the Lord, I see things changing. As always, His plan is the best plan!
But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Beautiful connection with Habakkuk 2:3. Thanks for sharing what God is doing in your life and your business. Good stuff.
Your teaching that God is more interested in growing me than my bank account is encouraging me. It’s causing me to rethink some preconceptions and to remember that His ways are not our ways. When I don’t understand His ways, I can have peace because He is trustworthy.
Amen, Connie. I need to constantly remind myself to not look at the circumstances but to look to my Lord, but when I do, His peace washes over my soul.
Your teaching that God is more interested in growing me than my bank account is encouraging me. It’s causing me to rethink some preconceptions and to remember that His ways are not our ways. When I don’t understand His ways, I can have peace because He is trustworthy.
Amen, Connie. I need to constantly remind myself to not look at the circumstances but to look to my Lord, but when I do, His peace washes over my soul.
Hey Kim – I’m a bit late in reading this newsletter but you have no idea how much you blessed me this evening. I was one of those newbie coaches who took your FREE Get Clients Now course several years ago when learning from Judy Santos. Since that time I’ve been super busy trading the market, managing a farm, serving my family as a stay at home Dad (four daughters ages 4-9), and finishing up my education. But all throughout I’ve been quietly following the growth of yourself as a person and as a coach. Needless to say, I am quite impressed and inspired. Your encouraging words through newsletters and webinars have caused me to teach a few workshops and classes at my home church. Our church has grown from 600 to 2500 in three years and we don’t have a life coach on campus!! Not that I know of anyway! So I am slowly gaining some ground Kim. Word is spreading and clients are coming. I’ve got 2 clients now with 1 on the hook, I’m up to 40+ paid coaching hours, and I’m sitting for my BCC exam shortly. All this WITHOUT a website, blog, Facebook account, Twitter account or newsletter! Right now, getting my newsletter going is my first priority because I believe that is what you would suggest – and get this, I already have an email list of 100-200 people!! Unbelievable stuff happening here. Anyway – just wanted to tell you that if it weren’t for you, I seriously question whether or not any of this would be happening. Keep living well Kim and thank you! Mike
Oh my goodness, Mike, you’ve made my day (actually, you probably made my month!!) I remember you so clearly from the free Get Clients Now group, and it’s wonderful to get an update on your life and your growth and progress as a coach. It’s sounds like you’ve been incredibly busy with ‘life’ and to think with all that you’ve still managed to work with clients and move closer to certification – awesome! Congratulations!
You’ve been incredibly generous with your time and your words by leaving me such a thoughtful comment. I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to have been a small part of your journey towards a thriving coaching practice. My passion is to help Christian coaches such as yourself succeed so that more people can live Christ-saturated, joy-filled and purpose-driven lives. You are well on your way.
Yes, yes, yes on starting the newsletter so you can stay in relationship with those you’ve connected with. And the potential for more clients from your church sounds like a great avenue to pursue.
I’m so excited for you. I hope you’ll stay in touch as more good news unfolds.
Thanks again!!!
Kim
Hey Kim – I’m a bit late in reading this newsletter but you have no idea how much you blessed me this evening. I was one of those newbie coaches who took your FREE Get Clients Now course several years ago when learning from Judy Santos. Since that time I’ve been super busy trading the market, managing a farm, serving my family as a stay at home Dad (four daughters ages 4-9), and finishing up my education. But all throughout I’ve been quietly following the growth of yourself as a person and as a coach. Needless to say, I am quite impressed and inspired. Your encouraging words through newsletters and webinars have caused me to teach a few workshops and classes at my home church. Our church has grown from 600 to 2500 in three years and we don’t have a life coach on campus!! Not that I know of anyway! So I am slowly gaining some ground Kim. Word is spreading and clients are coming. I’ve got 2 clients now with 1 on the hook, I’m up to 40+ paid coaching hours, and I’m sitting for my BCC exam shortly. All this WITHOUT a website, blog, Facebook account, Twitter account or newsletter! Right now, getting my newsletter going is my first priority because I believe that is what you would suggest – and get this, I already have an email list of 100-200 people!! Unbelievable stuff happening here. Anyway – just wanted to tell you that if it weren’t for you, I seriously question whether or not any of this would be happening. Keep living well Kim and thank you! Mike
Oh my goodness, Mike, you’ve made my day (actually, you probably made my month!!) I remember you so clearly from the free Get Clients Now group, and it’s wonderful to get an update on your life and your growth and progress as a coach. It’s sounds like you’ve been incredibly busy with ‘life’ and to think with all that you’ve still managed to work with clients and move closer to certification – awesome! Congratulations!
You’ve been incredibly generous with your time and your words by leaving me such a thoughtful comment. I can’t tell you how encouraging it is to have been a small part of your journey towards a thriving coaching practice. My passion is to help Christian coaches such as yourself succeed so that more people can live Christ-saturated, joy-filled and purpose-driven lives. You are well on your way.
Yes, yes, yes on starting the newsletter so you can stay in relationship with those you’ve connected with. And the potential for more clients from your church sounds like a great avenue to pursue.
I’m so excited for you. I hope you’ll stay in touch as more good news unfolds.
Thanks again!!!
Kim