Today on LinkedIn, someone asked if I ever have regrets or doubts about my coaching business, and how do I overcome them?
I replied:
“Oh, I've definitely had moments of doubt!
No regrets, though. It's been incredibly rewarding to coach and help people with no corporate agenda casting a shadow on things (as sometimes happens when you're a corporate leader).
Overcoming doubt isn't easy sometimes. I'd say the biggest moments of doubt come with the typical up and down cycles of any independent business (i.e., feast and famine).
I used to consult years ago and learned how to bank the good times and keep busy with working on my business strategy and operations during the quiet times. I'm relearning that!
It also helps to create a portfolio of small business services and revenue streams, so you're never overly dependent on one source.”
My experience is that doubts are a part of the process of making ANY decision. I think we all try to be objective -- at least at the start -- but ultimately we often make a gut-level decision. I'll share the story of my biggest professional decision: I was a tenured faculty member at the Department of Defense Medical School. (What could be more secure than that?) I was courted to be the first employee with my professional qualifications by a "Big Pharma." It was an agonizing decision -- and the biggest doubt was whether I would be able to play on that field of big science. With my spouse, made page after page of pluses and minuses. Finally, when the offer came, after a stressful evening of discussion, made the decision to accept -- gut level! I reminded myself of the Chinese saying, that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...and I never looked back. Doubt is just part of the process!
My experience is that doubts are a part of the process of making ANY decision. I think we all try to be objective -- at least at the start -- but ultimately we often make a gut-level decision. I'll share the story of my biggest professional decision: I was a tenured faculty member at the Department of Defense Medical School. (What could be more secure than that?) I was courted to be the first employee with my professional qualifications by a "Big Pharma." It was an agonizing decision -- and the biggest doubt was whether I would be able to play on that field of big science. With my spouse, made page after page of pluses and minuses. Finally, when the offer came, after a stressful evening of discussion, made the decision to accept -- gut level! I reminded myself of the Chinese saying, that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...and I never looked back. Doubt is just part of the process!