Every Entrepreneur Needs Help. Here's Five Reasons Why (cont.)
A coach can provide perspective, guidance, and accountability when you most need it. Here’s a deeper look into my top five reasons for acquiring the services of a mentor:
2. PERSPECTIVE
A business coach can talk you through all of the possible routes that are available to you and the consequences and benefits to each one. A simple discussion can remind you of the vision that you have set in place and help you compartmentalize and prioritize.
There are times on this small business (SMB) journey in which you will just need a sounding board. An outside point of view that helps you to see factors that you were not previously considering. The mentor is a flexible chameleon, capable of taking on the role of your customers, partners, vendors, or your competition.
Experience provides perspective, and talking through a situation with someone who has been there can be both cathartic and educational. Whether you are working to resolve an issue, or just need a sounding board, a coach can provide insight that exceeds what you will accomplish on your own. However, what you do with that advice is dependent on the actions that you take, and that’s where accountability comes.
3. ACCOUNTABILITY
Take a moment and think about your own situation – how often do you postpone doing something when noone is relying on you accomplishing that task? Now what happens when you know that you will be held accountable to doing so, or will be required to explain your reasoning for NOT doing it?
It is inherent in human nature to hold ourselves more accountable to other people than to our own expectations. We will falsely rationalize putting off an objective or contrive reasons for prioritizing one task over another. A good coach doesn’t accept flimsy excuses. A mentor worth their weight in salt will hold your feet to the fire and work you through the barriers and rationale that are holding you back. Simply the act of knowingthat you will need to discuss this with a coach is sometimes enough to force action.
However, there are times when your own talent and expertise isn’t quite enough. You may need the outside helpof someone who specializes in a specific field. That’s where a coach provides resourcefulness.
- Are you a Jack of All Trades?
- or are you a Master of None?
- or a Master of… One?
- What does your business require, and are you meeting its needs?
- Running a small business is chaos. Your work goes beyond any single role.
- You are a marketer and a financier. A salesperson and head of operations.
- You concern yourself with long-term strategy, but can’t see past the upcoming payroll.
