Confession: How My Addiction Almost Killed My Business
Did you know that I started out as a baker?
It was during that time, when I worked long hours, night after night, that I developed a serious addiction…
And it darned nearly destroyed my coaching and consulting business. Let me explain.
You see, as a baker I got to create “something out nothing.” Not exactly “nothing”, but you know what I mean.
It’s like magic.
You get to mix a bunch of ingredients in just the right way and, nearly instantly, create something totally new and amazing.
You can start enjoying the fruits of your labor even as your creation is still baking… as the delicious aroma fills the air.
If you’ve ever had a chance to work with your hands – building something – you know what I mean.
Even if your end result is kinda ugly and crappy – you still feel great about it and are proud of creating it. (Admit it – you know exactly what I’m talking about!)
It’s just so rewarding.
That’s how I got addicted to… quick results.
So when I started my consulting business and a client wasn’t quite pulling her weight and getting the results they were after fast enough, I’d step in and do the work myself…
That’s massively unhealthy in so many ways!
Plus it put me in a role of a technician. And technicians don’t get paid much.
Fortunately I got cured.
First, I learned that I’m responsible to my clients, not for them. I can only open the door, but I can’t make them walk through it. That’s up to them.
Second, I discovered that the most successful, highest paid business advisers, coaches, consultants and mentors in the world had one thing in common.
They all commanded the highest fees for doing just one thing: CAUSING A SHIFT IN THINKING (not doing the work for their clients!)
That’s it!
Cause a shift in thinking.
Which causes a shift in behavior.
Which generates new and different results!
Aim to cause a shift in thinking, which causes a shift in behavior, which generates new and different results!
Aim to cause a shift in thinking, which causes a shift in behavior, which generates new and different results!
When you’re ready to leave behind the “technician mindset” and propel your business light-years ahead by learning how to think like a business owner the 11-module ACLC course (http://attractclientslikecrazy.com) is a great place to start.
Meanwhile… Maybe you can share with me – what “good habits” are hindering your success?
Thank you for this lesson Adam. It is making a difference in my business too. I used to want to do it all for my clients when they didn’t get it, but that causes too much stress and doesn’t help them grow.
Hey Julia. You’re so right. Doing things for clients – things they should be doing themselves – just so we can get them the results they want enables them to say “see, I knew I couldn’t do it myself.”
AND, it robs us of time that should go into building our own business. Again, it’s rooted in operating with the technician mindset and not being clear with how value is actually created in a coaching and consulting relationship. ;)
Exactly why I sought you out, Adam.
Thanks Bill!