Is it Time to Breakup With Your Business Coach?
It's no secret that having a coach or mentor can accelerate your growth in business. When I first started building a business from home, aligning myself with successful women mentors was a game-changer for me. I gravitated towards those who were teaching ways to make multiple income streams from home in an anti-hustle kind of way. As a stay-at-home mom, I was on a mission to help provide for my family financially but doing so within the confines of my kid's school hours which would allow me to be at the bus stop every day!
As women entrepreneurs, we often turn to business coaches to help us navigate the challenges of building a thriving business. In my case, I wanted to uncover the nuances of how to be successful using my own skills and giftings while being able to serve others and earn an income. Working with a coach or mentor gave me a fresh perspective, a roadmap of how to get where I wanted to go, accountability, and the support I needed to push myself to the next level in my own business.
For that, I truly am grateful for all the nuggets of wisdom and guidance I received.
However, there may come a time in your own entrepreneurial journey when you feel like you’ve reached a plateau, and you’re not benefiting as much as you had hoped from your coaching. It may be time to take a step back and reassess if your coach is still serving your needs. In this blog post, I’ll share some signs that indicate it may be time to break from your coach in business since I’m currently walking through this as I create much-needed space from one of my treasured business mentors.
Your Goals Have Changed
Business goals are constantly evolving. As your business grows, your priorities, aspirations, and ambitions will change, and the goals you set out to achieve with your coach may no longer align with your current vision. If you find yourself feeling dissatisfied with the goals you set with your coach, it may be time to have a conversation about shifting your focus or finding a different coach who can better support your new goals.
Their Goals Have Changed
Sometimes, as business owners, we find ourselves at a crossroads where our goals and direction no longer align with those of our business coach. Perhaps your coach has changed the direction of their business and they are no longer an energetic match for you and your mission. It’s a difficult decision to part ways with a coach who has provided valuable guidance, but it’s essential that we prioritize our own goals and aspirations. I come from the thought model that you can love certain pieces of your business coach but you don’t have to subscribe to all their offers. Simply take what you want (of their wisdom and teachings) and leave the rest without a bit of guilt (easier said than done... I know!)
You’re Not Getting Results
The primary reason to work with a coach is to get results. If you’re not seeing any measurable progress or improvement in your business, it's time to ask yourself whether your coach is helping you reach your goals. While progress may not happen overnight, you should be consistently moving closer to your goals. If you’ve been working with your coach for months and have yet to see any results, it may be time to consider finding a new coach who can offer fresh perspectives on how to drive results in your business.
You’ve Outgrown Your Coach
Just like with any other relationship, relationships with coaches have their natural lifespan. As you grow and evolve in your business, you may come to realize that you've outgrown your coach. A good coach should always be challenging you and pushing you to achieve more. However, if you feel like you're no longer learning or being challenged in the ways that you need, it may be time to move on.
You Don't Feel Supported
A coach should be someone who provides you with unwavering support on your journey to achieving your goals. If you don't feel like your coach has your back, it can create a feeling of isolation and make it difficult for you to stay motivated to achieve your goals. If you're not feeling supported, it may be time to find a new coach who understands your needs and provides the support you need to push past challenges.
Your Values Aren't in Alignment
Your coach's values should align with yours in terms of your vision, business, and personal life. If your coach's values do not align with yours, it may be difficult to build a trusting relationship. You may also find that your coach is not equipped to help you achieve your goals in the way that you need. This misalignment may be a sign for you to find a coach whose values align with yours. Observe how they treat people, how they talk to them, and what they say about others -- if it ever feels gross, or icky and unkind, it's a good indicator that it's time to exit stage left.
Final Thoughts
Working with a business coach can be a game-changer for your business, but it's important to reassess your coaching relationship regularly. Ultimately, it's your decision whether to continue working with your coach or break the relationship. However, by taking the time to evaluate your goals, results, growth, support, and values, you can make an informed decision about whether it's time for a change.
It is important to create healthy boundaries in your business and cutting ties with low-frequency mentors or coaches is definitely a boundary worth putting in place. Remember, a good coach should always strive to help you reach your goals, while continuously challenging and supporting you along the way.
Just be prepared, it can feel like an "actual breakup" depending on how emotionally, physically, and mentally invested you are in your coach or mentor. I'd be lying if I said I didn't reach out to a few friends for some talk therapy around this separation situation (lol).
Have you ever parted ways from one of your favorite mentors before? Was it difficult for you?
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