ceo

Tess Be Yourself

Sometimes it feels like there is an awful lot of pressure to do what everyone else is doing on social media. Whether it’s the latest dance trend, the latest audio gag reel, or some other thing, none of those things truly feels like YOU.
(Actually, I have a caveat … if doing all those things IS you, go for gold. Love your style!)

The problem is, for most of us, it’s just not. And what that often leads to is resistance to having an authentic presence online.
My business clients know that they *should* be online so clients, referrers, and future staff can get to know them, but they just shudder at the assumption it means jumping onto social media trends.
I’m here to tell you it ain’t necessarily so … in fact being just your plain old self is much more engaging!

So whether it’s telling stories about what you’re most passionate about in your work, or sharing a hobby, your garden, or your fur babies (yes please!) - it all tells us so much more about you and your personality, which is of course the personality behind your business. And that’s what the people really want - to get to know, like, and trust you - which makes it so much easier to choose you as the service that will best meet their needs.

So let yourself off the hook. And just be yourself.

At heart, all businesses run on the same fuel. Values.

Personal values feed a business's mission. Uncovering these values can help guide every decision we make, from revenue streams to fee structures, marketing to recruitment.

But what if there’s a clash between personal values and the needs of the business?

I see this when our “business hat” comes into conflict with our “caring hat”. I get it. It's hard to balance this sometimes.

Private practice owners are typically hard-working, compassionate and fair-minded. In fact, I’ve NEVER come across a business coaching client who wasn’t. But most reach a point where a vital business decision feels uncomfortable from a values perspective. Whether it’s increasing fees, letting staff go, or simply saying no.

As a business coach, I tend to ask why this decision makes you feel less like the good person you know yourself to be? I ask about your ideal solution. We dive into identifying barriers to achieving that and ways to overcome those barriers - all guided by your values.

It is possible to grow your business AND live within your values. It’s vital, in fact, if you want to survive the stress of business long-term. But that doesn’t mean it comes naturally, which is where engaging a business coach can help.

Business coaching isn’t just about you making more money (although, I’m all for that), or simply focussing on marketing (even though this is important too), it's often about the less tangible things. Like values.

Without understanding what drives us, what feels right in our bones, we risk flying blind. Grabbing random snippets of advice in FB groups, without knowing what will actually work for YOU.

"Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about hard things" - Brene Brown

I’m gonna give it to you straight … Those “what ifs” won’t save your business.
You’ve identified what’s not working and even how to fix it … but now one four-letter word is holding you back from taking action.

Fear.

Fear of criticism, failure, loss of reputation, reduced referrals, fear you’ll kill your business…

Whether it’s a fee increase, changing your employment model, or a targeted marketing campaign … these are big changes, and tend to trigger the “what ifs” big time.

It’s natural to have these fears. Of course it is. But it’s not WISE to let fear call the shots. In fact, FEAR DOES NOT GET A SAY! Because, let’s face it, allowing fear to stop you making essential changes in your business is bonkers.

You know your business better than anyone. You take on all the risk. YOU get to decide what changes need to be made.

I can’t promise everyone will embrace your changes with glee. Not everyone will. I’ve certainly faced pushback from staff, colleagues, and even friends when I’ve announced major business changes in the past.
We don’t love it when our ideas aren’t met with universal agreement and applause. But sometimes we have to do what is right, not what is popular. (Where have I heard that phrase before? *wink wink*)

Remember two simple facts:
1. Your business, your rules.
2. You get to change the rules as you see fit.

You know that things can’t stay the same or you’ll burn out, go broke, or simply stagnate. Without you taking action to make the changes you know you need to make, things are guaranteed to stay to same. When you allow fear to call the shots, when you give in to the “what ifs”, you are choosing to stay with what’s NOT working.

Or put more harshly … You are essentially saying you are prepared to fail rather than risk success.
Are you? Really? Of course not! That would be crazy, right?
Change is hard, but so essential for the longevity of your business.

Don’t let fear call the shots.

Much love,
Tess x