Y'all went nuts over my last client case study, so I thought I would share another!
This particular client hired me to help her have more balance in her life. Her career and professional life are amazing, but her personal life could use some sprucing up.
We had our first session, and I asked her several questions about her week. Inevitably, her answer would always lead back to her business.
I would reign her in and ask another question, and again she would end up talking about her business.
Why do you keep reverting to your business?
She had a very long response, but it went something like this:
"I think I should focus on my business. I'm pretty happy in my personal life, really. If I spend all of my time and energy trying to get healthier, it will impact my business negatively. I need to focus on growing my business and get that to the next level, and then I'll focus on my personal life. For example, if I take time out of the day to exercise, I will have to take time away from my business, and I'm not at the point where I want to do that. I just don't think this is best for me, and I really don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I should just wait until 2022."
Some of you might be thinking, she has some valid points; maybe it would be better to focus on the business. That does sound like a lot of pressure! And if she tries to do everything at once, it could be way too much.
However, as her coach, it's my job to call B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T.
This is what she really said...
I know my life would be much better if I hit these personal goals, but I'm not ready to face what needs to be faced. It's so much easier to work and avoid personal stuff. It's clean, it's easy. It will be far too hard; I'd rather just ignore it.
She believed that it would be easier to avoid it (it's not actually easier.)
Some people use Netflix, some use alcohol, some like gambling, some use food, and some use work.
Avoiding life by working is sneaky because it sounds productive, super useful, and maybe even responsible.
But it's a crafty little excuse to hide out from her personal life.
Getting her health in check and exercising will significantly impact her business in the best way ever.
The version of her that sits down at her desk with more energy and feeling proud of her accomplishments will totally outperform the current version of her.
Her story was B.S. - the opposite is actually true.
Focusing on her personal goals will HELP her business, not hurt it. But she was way too in the weeds to see it.
Tackling those goals will suck at times, but it will also be over-the-top-amazing more than it will suck.
What would suck more is for her to wake up on January 1, 2022, and realize that she put her personal life on hold again and another year had passed.
I led her through a few exercises where she could see what was really going on here so that she could call bullshit on herself as well.
And she's all in now.
And we have a new rule - zero business talk during those 45 minutes.
She is already seeing significant progress on her goals, and we're just getting started.
She is me.
Practice calling BS on the stories you tell yourself about why you shouldn't go after the things you most want in life.
You can simply ask “What if I'm wrong?” and be willing to explore that possibility.
And if you're struggling, I can help.
Machele Galloway
Certified Life Coach
Email: macheleg@lifeleapcoaching.com
If you’re interest in working with me, you can check out my current availability and offer by CLICKING HERE