Almost anyone can build a successful coaching business. Make significant contributions. Invest in people’s lives. Have a job and a life they love.

Yep. Almost anyone can do it, but most won’t.

It’s not because they don’t want to, don’t care, or won’t try.

Instead, it’s because they’ll put off today’s important tasks until tomorrow. A tomorrow that never comes.

If you’re like me, procrastination isn’t a conscious choice. Instead, it sneaks into your life wearing a clever disguise. Then, robed as a caring friend, it whispers her insidious lies.

Success comes from unmasking and replacing those lies.

Lie #1: “I need more information”

The Truth: Do you know how much information is out there? No, don’t do a Google search and check. I’ll tell you. In 2008, the web had over I trillion pages. By 2014, the quantity of information on Internet began doubling every 72 hours. Doubling. Every. 72. Hours.

You’ll never have complete information. Move ahead when you know just enough.

Lie #2: “It’s not perfect yet.”

The Truth: Don’t mistake quality and excellence for perfection. In this rapidly changing world if you wait until something is perfect before you pull the trigger, the need for what you’ve created will have already passed. Good is good enough.

Lie #3: “Why would anyone want to coach with me?”

The Truth: Chances are that you feel inadequate because you are inadequate. We all are. Without Christ, we are nothing. What’s important is who God is and will be for us in each moment.

Lie #4: “I’ll do it later.”

The Truth: When our brains encounter difficulties, it begins looking for a reason, any reason, to delay the coming task. While it’s tempting to check email, surf the Internet, clean the pantry, or schedule that delightful root canal, don’t fall for this trick. Notice the temptation, reverse the order, and tell your brain that as soon as you finish the marketing task, you can check Facebook as your reward. Work first, then play.

Lie #5: “I’ll sign-up for another class or get a new certification before I market.”

The Truth: You’re a lifelong learner. That’s great. But there’s a point in your business when learning becomes a substitute for doing. Face it, your brain loves to learn but it finds marketing hard. Set a goal of completing certain business- building milestones before you reward yourself by enrolling in one more class.

Lie #6: “I don’t have time to market.”

The Truth: You’re right. You don’t have time to market. You never will. If God is calling you to start a coaching business, then it’s safe to assume He is calling you to stop doing something else. Deliberately choose what activities to let go of. To succeed, you’ll have to set aside marketing time, and prioritize it above most other things in your life.

Lie #7: “I’m not sure what to do next.”

The Truth: Choosing, deciding, prioritizing – these are all high-energy tasks for our brains, tasks which it would rather avoid. The solution? Each Monday morning, or whenever you’re at your freshest, have a meeting with God.

With paper and pen in hand…
• Prayerfully plot out the work week ahead .
• Choose three top priorities that will make the biggest impact in your business growth.
• Write them down.
• Keep that paper handy all week long.

Then, when you have a minute to work on your business, you won’t have to do the hard work of choosing. You’ll know exactly what to do. Prioritize once a week. Execute daily.

Lie #8: “I’m not in the mood to market.”

The Truth: Motivation waxes and wanes, so true success comes from habits and routines. If we only market when we feel like it, our businesses will never grow. Train your body and brain to engage in specific bite-sized marketing tasks at set times throughout each day. Once you make these behaviors a habit, they’ll become automatic and effortless, a part of your regular routine.

Procrastination is sneaky, insidious, and deadly. Don’t be fooled by her innocuous disguise.

Rip off the mask. Call it what it is and move ahead anyway. Today. Without excuse or delay. You’ll be glad you did.

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It’s Your Turn

How does procrastination disguise itself in your life?