The Full Practice Horror Show

Would you like to have a full coaching practice? Are you sure? Really? I invite you to reconsider the implications of your idea and look at alternatives.

Many coaches tell me that one of the things they'd most like to have is a full practice - of say 20 clients. On paper, this looks great and it certainly makes the maths easy to work out :-) However, in the real world, you may find that running your own full coaching practice (by this definition) turns out to be a completely different kettle of fish.

Think about it...

You've got to prepare and deliver your coaching service and follow-up afterwards. If you do face-to-face coaching you'll need to factor in travel time too. Of course, you will need to market your practice as well. Then you've got admin to do. Oh and what about working on the vision and future direction of your practice? And then there is your own personal and professional development.

Can you see how this is turning into a time-intensive nightmare?

I achieved the distinction of having a full practice a number of years ago and found that it's not all it's cracked up to be. I found myself working crazy hours and life seemed to be one long series of phone calls - one after the other. Sometimes the full practice came to feel more like a prison than the heavenly lifestyle I desired.

So, what can you do?

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Can I Help You with Your Most Pressing Question?

Over the past year I've been developing a series of products on different aspects of building a coaching practice. Over the next year I'll be releasing each on in turn - I'm just not sure which one to release first :-)

If you answer this ultra-short questionnaire to provide some feedback you can ask me the most burning question you have in your coaching practice and I'll give you a detailed and personal response.

Note - Last week at least three people asked their question but didn't leave their e-mail so I could give them a response. If this was you, then do let me know.

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> Tips on avoiding the full practice horror show

Here are some tips on how you can avoid casting yourself as the lead character in your own full practice horror show:

1. Outcomes - What are the main results you want to achieve from your coaching practice? What earnings do you want from your practice? How many hours a week do your really want to be working?

Until you're clear on the goals you have for your coaching practice, how are you going to achieve them?

2. Lifestyle - Consider the type of lifestyle you want your coaching practice to help you to lead. How much time off do you want to have? Do you want to interact with others?

During my 'full practice phase' I found myself in solitary confinement - voluntarily - with just a telephone and a headset :-)

3. How? - Given your outcomes and the lifestyle you want to lead, will your current ideas around your practice help you to get there? Does a full practice move you closer or further away from your desires?

4. Consider Alternatives - Look for ways to generate the turnover you desire in a less time-intensive way. Here's a recent newsletter article that expands on this idea.

If you want to have a successful coaching practice next year and beyond then I may be able to help you. Just e-mail me details of your situation and what you'd like to achieve and I'll let you know if I can help you at all.

So, do you want to be part of the full practice horror show?

With very best wishes,

Shaun

Authentic Practice
helping coaches to get more clients
45 Capitol Court
Old Coach Road
Wollaton
Nottingham
NG8 1GX

Website: http://www.authenticpractice.com

Tel.: (0115) 928 3070 or (0845) 123 5105
Mobile: (07811) 262 111

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I work with coaches who have a strong desire to help others but are currently struggling to get clients. I help them to attract more clients and create a stable coaching practice to make a difference in the world.

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