With the "on again-off again" news you keep hearing about the
economy, you may be rethinking if starting your business was a
good idea.
Before you throw your hard work away and consider how to explain
the gap on your resume, consider getting a mentor or hiring a
coach. It just might be what you and your business need to keep
going.
When I lived in Nevada, I lucked up on a coach to business
executives. At the time, I was neither a business exec nor had
any clue what to do except quit being an accountant. (I'm too
short to be a showgirl and inept as a blackjack dealer.)
His advice then is the same as it is for me now, ask the hard
questions and take action on the answers. Before you get
'caught up' in the knee-jerk reaction to unemployment that many
of you may be feeling right now, especially if the income isn't
flowing - figure out where you may be stuck.
If sales aren't coming in or the business isn't what you
envisioned it to be by now, it's time to get an objective and
knowledgeable mentor or coach on your side.
Ideally, you want a mentor who currently or has been a
solo entrepreneur and can relate to the same path of doing
everything alone. Someone who understands the fear you may be
feeling about slow or no sales and can take an objective view of
your business to help you move forward.
The primary question you need to answer before you get a
mentor is: Where am I trying to go? Please don't be an
idiot. "No one is going to tell you what business you
should start or how to make a million dollars without any work on
your part".
Some of you may do better with a coach, who will draw out your
original vision of your business and can help you clear your
thinking about how you are operating.
What's the difference? A mentor can help you avoid or
diffuse the landmines in your business and locate those resources
you need. A coach monitors your progress and suggests course
corrections.
Whichever you choose to work with honest communication is
critical. Both will check in with you from time to time, but
more importantly you should check in with them.
Finding a mentor or coach you can work with comes down to first
knowing yourself. It may sound artsy-fartsy, but if you think
you're social and are not then working with anyone who pushes
"going social" on you defeats the purpose.
How much bluntness can you handle? My coaching clients know they
can whine to family and friends, but with me it's "5 minutes,
once a quarter!". They don't pay my fee to join the Pity
Party. They come to me because I ask questions that may be
uncomfortable and that helps them move forward.
How much coddling do you need? Your mentor and coach need to know
that you may want a bit more handholding, depends where you are
in your business. Be honest about what you are going to need.
Is your problem technical or financial or something else? It
makes no sense and wastes your time if the mentor you choose is
an expert in affiliate marketing when you operate a detailing
shop.
Get the focused help you need in your business, whether that's
someone to find the landmines you are stepping on or someone to
keep you accountable to completing what you need to do in your
business.
