This is not a #ClarityGem, nor is it really a blog, either. (Since we’re in the middle of launching a course, I intentionally chose to take a pause from writing a #ClarityGem because, well, sometimes you just need a break.)
I’m not sure what to call this, exactly, but the truth is … I’m struggling with something. And it hit me a few minutes ago that instead of processing it on my own, I should probably put it in writing because some of you might relate and appreciate this.
I’M STRUGGLING WITH BEING A COACH AND RUNNING A BUSINESS
Here’s the thing about being a coach who also runs a business … your life is basically a constant tightrope walk.
As a coach, I don’t give advice. I don’t try to convince anyone of anything. That’s not my job.
But anyone who knows anything about doing business would tell you that if you’re selling something, you “must” convince people to buy. And to believe that the investment was their idea. Neither of which are things I particularly like.
And so, I walk the tightrope.
I’m very conscious of how we share what we have to offer. I shudder at the prospect of being seen as “salesy” or gimmicky.
Honestly, it’s gotten to the point where I’d almost rather people not know what we have to offer, rather than ever risk being seen as slimy, salesy, or pushy. My reputation as a coach means a lot more to me than being an expert businesswoman.
BUT THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS WHOLE PICTURE
Kristen and I were having brunch with another coach friend this weekend, and we were musing about women, in general, and equal pay, in particular.
{Stick with me on this one. There’s a point, I promise! 😉 } Apparently, women very likely won’t be paid equally until Millennials are well into old age. In fact, 3-D printed hearts are more likely to be available and in use before women receive equal pay.
And here’s the thing … while this might be a hugely controversial opinion, I don’t think it’s because men are so unwilling to participate in paying women fairly. It’s because many women have a problem advocating for themselves.
We’re far more inclined to be humble. Never take credit for what we’re great at. Attribute our greatness to “luck.” And never advocate for more. In essence, we’re way more likely to tiptoe around what we want and be apologetic for wanting it in the first place.
And I realize … that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. And I have no one to blame for it but myself.
SO, I’M NOT GOING TO LIMIT MYSELF IN THAT WAY ANYMORE
The truth is, I’m a great coach. So is Kristen. We’ve coached hundreds of people, both virtually and in person, into lives that they couldn’t have dreamed of before. We’ve facilitated what many of our clients have referred to as straight-up miracles.
I have nothing to hide, nor anything to be ashamed of, by telling people what we have to offer. In fact, it’s very likely that I’m doing many people a disservice by making what we have to offer not-so-obvious.
I’m really proud of what we’ve created … and I’m here to share it with as many people as possible. Not because I care to convince anyone to buy it (to be honest, if I have to convince you to figure out your passion in life, I don’t want to work with you in the first place). But because I want as many people as humanly possible to have the opportunity to get more out of life than what they’re getting right now.
So, I’m taking a second right now to brag a little about what we have to offer, and then I want you to read through to the bottom and share what you have to brag about, too.
THIS IS WHAT WE’VE MADE FOR YOU
Earlier this week we launched (for the third time) The Passion Plan Virtual Experience.
We’ve spent years coaching hundreds of people (mostly Millennials), which means that we know a lot about what it takes to get clear, un-stuck, and inspired. We’ve distilled everything you need to know about figuring out your passion and taking action into this course, which is a 4-week online experience.
1-on-1 coaching is often a pricey endeavor. It’s not for the feint of heart (or feint of budget). Plus, we can only ever coach a handful of people at any given time. But with an online experience like this one, we can give people the best of our knowledge and guidance, without draining resources that they might not have.
Here’s an email from someone who’s gone through the program that made us really happy to receive:
“I have been working in a job that I just don’t love … for 12 years. Now, it hasn’t been the same job the whole time, but problem solving with numbers just doesn’t do it for me, no matter what company I try. My degree is in art. I’d been suppressing myself because of some major limiting beliefs and pushing myself to work with money because I thought that would BRING me money.
Doing the work from the PPVE and taking action helped bring me to where I am right now. I signed up for classes to learn Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. I’m working toward becoming a designer and with that – found my passion in helping companies develop their brand strategies! Now that I’ve unlocked it – I can’t turn it off!
I’m pretty sure that had I not signed up for the PPVE, I would have been stuck in the same spot, both physically and mentally, until I ended up finding the next accounting job to roll on to. But that would have caught up to me again when I was left feeling unfulfilled and without purpose. You girls are amazing! Thanks for charming the good stuff out of me!” – Jessica B.
I could go on, but again … I’m not in the business of convincing people. I’d prefer for you to trust your gut and take a leap of faith, if this is something you’re attracted to.
And in case you didn’t know already … there’s a $50 discount code that expires tonight (April 30th).
Use code PPVE51 for $50 off of the one-payment option:
Or, use code PPVE52 for $50 off of the two-payment option:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I’m so over being apologetic about what I’m good at, what I have to offer, and the magic I can work in people’s lives.
I suspect that you might be in the same boat … that you might be shrinking yourself, playing small, or not taking credit for what you’re great at.
So, this is both your challenge and opportunity: Leave a comment below and let me know what you’re done apologizing for, or what you’re going to stand up and take credit for, or what you’re going to (gasp) actually have the guts to brag about. I’m all ears!
Much Love,
Rachel (+ Kristen)
P.S. In case some of you missed it, we did a live hangout on Tuesday about “How to go from stressed & defeated to hopeful & excited about your passion.” It was pretty good, if I say so myself. There’s a recording, in case you want to check it out:
Each week that I receive your emails, I can’t help but feel that you both are kindred spirits. I too, am very guilty for being sorry for things I shouldn’t. Generally it’s for choosing to do things or not do things in a way that works for me. Things like choosing to work on myself in my own way, not the way my friends and even boyfriend understand. I’m terribly guilty for all of the thoughts of ‘I should…’ I’m going through a bit of a transformational period, not changing who I am, but trying to reattain parts of myself that I lost in my second not-so-successful career attempt coupled with major burnout. I am currently in between jobs, hoping my last interview was a successful one, but until then I’m suffering from what I’ve read as PIWA (Post Interview Waiting Anxiety). I ‘should’ just get some random job, but it’s not me to work doing something I could care less for, so I hold out for the ‘Mr. Right.’ I have seriously contemplated your course, mainly because even if I get this job that I really think I want, my past attempts at career endeavours that I thought I wanted had fizzled, and I can’t help but wonder if this will turn out the same. I will continue to battle this decision for the rest of the day, but I felt so compelled to finally comment on one of your posts. You girls have a seriously great thing going-no apologies necessary.