Replicating Yourself | How’d you do that?
Every once in a while in conversation I get stopped. And I love it.
The best times are when I get stopped by a great question. One of those deep ones that make me smile and think “Now why doesn’t everyone ask that?”
Today was one of those days. The question was…
“Andrea, how did you transition from the person that takes care of everything, to being able to trust someone else to take care of things while you’re away for a week?”
It can sound like a mundane question but consider this:
The asker had just taken a long weekend ‘off.’ Her first in 2 years and certainly she had not taken a whole week off in that time, because of the demands of her business, and it just so happens her family couldn’t get away much anyway.
But the fact is, as business owners, no words are more true than:
“I feel like I’m being punished for taking ONE day off, how can I ever possibly get away for a week???”
Classic entrepreneurial conundrum: Being a business owner gives us amazing freedom that we feel we can’t, or don’t know how, to take advantage of.
So what was my answer?
Short version: I got to the place where I could no longer tolerate the impending reality of continuing the way I was.
Longer version: It took a process of letting go, and looking back I can see phases of getting to this place.
I’m still surprised when I realize I can take a week off every month now, and suffer no real adverse effects. Sure my business won’t grow as much as it does each month, month to month – me being present and focussed on growth is required for that kind of ‘drive,’ but…
Maintenance and such aren’t a problem.
So, how about some steps to take?
(1) As with anything, begin with the end in mind. What kind of lifestyle do you want, schedule wise, in your business?
e.g. “I want to be able to take a week off 2/3/4/5 times a year after my first year of startup”
e.g. “I want to be able to take 1/2/3 months off in the summer, each year.”
e.g. “I want to be able to work 5/10/20 hours a week, 4 days a week, all year round.”
What is it for you?
(2) Start by looking for like-minded partners and helpers. Whether that’s a team member in the form of a virtual assistant, a business manager or a partner in your business, ultimately someone will need to ‘double’ you, regardless how much or how often.
Hold space for this type of person to show up.
Hold space for the type of person you can trust, to show up.
(3) Give it a test run.
There’s nothing like going away for a day and coming back to a mess to make you realize you can’t live like this. You’ll find the drive to dig deeper so you don’t have these horrific black weeks, fixing things.
On the other hand, there’s nothing much like going away and coming back to serenity. (Oh, I’m not needed!) Be prepared for some clearing work on letting go of wanting to be missed. Conflicting intentions can undo your biggest dreams.
And most of all, diversify.
If you are still following a 1-1 time for money model of doing business, you will not find an easy path to getting away – unless you plan to close the business down for periods at a time.
Multiple Streams of Coaching Income is more than an interesting possibility. As we move towards our retirements, our financial freedom, childrearing years, or just as we start wanting to work less for any other reason… Multiple Streams is pretty darned essential to making sure you have ways to make you business bring in income, without you.
Make sense?
Begin with the end in mind. What is your exit strategy in your coaching business?
Spend a few minutes now to write down your thoughts in the comments below, or privately in your notebook/journal…give yourself the gift of some time to reflect:
How would you like to bring a graceful close to your coaching business, ultimately, when the time comes, and the time is right, down the road?
