When you are called to make a difference in the world, during times of crisis is when you are needed the most.
But during times of crisis you are stressed as well. What can you do to stay centered, maintain your sanity, survive and thrive as a relationship coach?
Here’s my top seven action items for thriving as a relationship coach during these challenging times:
1. Fear vs. Reality
As coaches we help our clients overcome their obstacles to success, the biggest being fear, which many of us understand to be False Expectations Appearing Real. We need to remind and soothe ourselves of that as well.
The reality is that we will get through this. While it feels like our survival is threatened, in the modern world you have many options and resources to get through a crisis.
Action Item #1: Instead of panicking and being ruled by “OMG, how will I survive this?”, if you assume that survival is a given, focus on “How can I thrive and make the biggest difference for those who need my support as a coach?”
2. Chooser vs. Victim
This is one of my favorite paradigms for coaching. We always have a choice to be reactive to what happens (victim) or choose our reality and destiny (chooser).
Action Item #2: We’re human and experience fear like everyone else, so it’s necessary to make the conscious choice continuously of our desired reality and destiny.
3. Vision and Law of Attraction
As coaches, our stock in trade is the biggest gift of the personal growth movement, that perception is reality and that we create our outcomes through our thoughts, intentions, and actions, both conscious and unconscious.
Action Item #3: You know this stuff, now is the time to dust it off and put it into action for yourself and the world who needs you.
4. In Crisis is Opportunity
Throughout human history the biggest evolutionary leaps have been made as a result of crisis. So what is the opportunity of this crisis? How can we get through it better than ever before, individually and as a society?
Action Item #4: As a coach you can influence and facilitate human evolution during this crisis, so get to work!
5. Where Are You Needed?
Heroes step up and go where they’re needed. In this crisis retired health professionals are mobilizing and putting themselves at risk to go where they’re needed. As a relationship coach, where are YOU needed? You have a specialty that is needed by your target audience right now, whether it’s singles sheltering in place, isolated, lonely, wanting to find a partner during these times but don’t know how. Or families stressed by having the kids home from school and being together 24/7. Or couples who are fearful, stressed, and struggling in their relationship as a result. Rates of divorce, domestic violence, suicide, substance abuse, are all sky high.
Action Item #5: What can YOU do to make a difference right now? Identify that, get into action, and be a hero making the biggest difference possible for your target audience.
6. Customize Your Business and Marketing for the Times
Hopefully, it’s a no-brainer to have a specialty and niche and customize your marketing and services to your target audience. You also need to customize your business and marketing for the times. What worked before won’t necessarily work now, so how can you pivot? What marketing activities will be successful now? What products and services will be effective and popular now?
For example, assuming that RCI members need more entry level programs and services during these times we put together several new mini-coaching programs designed to be an affordable, easy sell during these times.
Heck, in my 35 years of private practice I’ve survived and thrived during three economic recessions while many of my colleagues were panicking and giving up their practices. A bit of creativity is all that’s needed and being in the habit of customizing and pivoting for the times will ensure your success.
Action Item #6: Identify marketing activities, products and services that will be effective and popular NOW.
7. Practice Extreme Self Care
You can’t help anyone else if you’re a mess yourself, so take exquisite care of your mind, body, and spirit so that you have the energy and presence to “be the change you want to see in the world.”
Action Item: Get the support you need to keep up your energy, confidence, and ability to inspire others. You’re a coach! You’re in the support business and personally know lots of sources of support, so reach out for yourself so you can be who you want and need to be during this crisis.
