When you were going through your health coach certification program, it may not have dawned on you that you were on your way to becoming a business owner, but BAM…you are now your own boss!

Just like anything else in life, there are pros and cons to being in business for yourself. One of the challenges many coaches face is the accountability factor.

Let’s be honest – it’s just easier to stay at home and not put yourself out there. When there is no one to report to and no one to check in with, “showing up” can be difficult.

I’ve been guilty of doing this. Not showing up in a big enough way, not putting myself out there as much as I should. But putting yourself out there – consistently – is exactly what you need to do if you want to build a successful business.

If you’re struggling with accountability and direction in your business right now, this post will give you the clarity and simple steps you need to get on the right track.

Prioritize

As exciting as it is to start your own business, do not let your own health and well-being take a backseat. Know your priorities. Set aside time to exercise, plan your meals for the week, and anything else you need to do to continue to be a walking billboard for your business.

When I started my business, I knew that I wanted to work part-time, and I wanted as much schedule flexibility as possible. This is why I knew that online coaching would be part of my practice. I did all of my coaching via phone or skype so I could also be location independent. These were things that were very important to me. I was clear that it was a priority to not see clients on the weekends. Since my kids are still young, I prioritized my business plan and goals around being home as much as possible while they are there.

What are your priorities? How can you set up your business to align with the priorities that are most important to you? Remember – you are the boss, which means you get to create what works for you.

Set Your Goals

Your business will only go as far as you project it to go. It’s important to write down your motivations, establish your general goals, and then focus on more specific mini-goals.

Keep your goals visible on a daily basis. I use a dry-erase board on my office wall, and I have a giant wet-erase calendar on the other side of the wall where I map out my plan. This way I have a constant reminder of what I should be working on.

Ask yourself…

• What do you want to accomplish as a health coach?
• What are your income goals?
• What days/times can you devote to your business?
• What makes your service unique?
• What makes you stand out from other services?

The answer to that last question might be the most important. Your answer will guide you as you begin to market your brand in the health wellness space.

Make a Plan

Setting goals is great – this is your time to dream and envision the future. Now it’s time to PLAN so that you can make your dreams a reality!

To make a plan, ask yourself…

• How many clients do you need to meet your initial income goals?
• Who will you start talking to spread the word about your business?
• How can you get in front of your ideal clients (Can you present workshops, and if so, how often will you do them?)

Each goal, no matter how big or small, needs to have a series of actions that will take you from where you are now to the completion of that specific task.

Your success as a health coach depends on how disciplined you can be to stick with your plan and estimated timeline. Once again, keep in mind that being your own boss means having the right amount of self-determination to start a project, make it grow, and take it to completion.

For more on goal setting, check out this post HERE.

Take Action, Even Though It’s Scary

As you start to map out your goals and your plan, it’s more than likely that you will feel nervous about it (even downright scared!). This is completely normal. Luckily, you’re not alone! There are many programs you can use to help boost your confidence and launch your health coaching practice. You can find a ton of resources like done-for-you programs HERE

Your success as a health coach relies on how well you know yourself, the resources you have, and the time you are willing to invest. In order to lower your level of anxiety right now, next I will share a few pro tips to keep you calm and in control.

Don’t Compare Yourself

This is a common mistake people make. It’s easy to look at others and see their success as something we can’t possibly achieve. You have to remember that they also started at ground zero. Instead of feeling discouraged, find inspiration in the success stories of friends and colleagues who are already thriving in their practice, and use their experience as encouragement.

You can find inspiration and direction in our amazing (and free) health coach mastermind group. If you are a certified health coach or certified fitness professional, be sure to come join us HERE!

Find a Peer Coach

It’s very helpful to find a trustworthy colleague to team up with as accountability partners. It can feel lonely as a health coach, so having someone that you connect with on a regular basis will help you feel more connected and plugged in. I had a peer coach when I attended IIN and it was extremely helpful and beneficial.

You can find a fellow health coach that is at a similar stage of their business as you are. A peer coach can be a great source of support and accountability. They can help you put some of the foundational pieces into place as well as offer objective feedback when you need it.

Can you think of someone that might be a good fit as a peer coach?

Find a Business Coach

If you need more than just accountability, finding a qualified business coach can be the best investment you make. Not all business coaches are created equal, and they each have their area of specialty. The biggest benefit of having a good business coach is that they can dramatically reduce your level of trial and error and help fast track your success. Look for a business coach that focuses on helping health and fitness professionals, since they’ll know the ins and outs of the business. This means they will have keen insights that other business coaches might not have.

Check with colleagues for recommendations, and speak to two or three business coaches so you can pick the one that is the best fit for you.

Holding yourself accountable, having structure to your business, and making a plan of action to reach your goals are all critical to the growth and success of your business.

What one action can you take this week to put your goals in motion?

Stop by my Facebook page to let me know. I’d love to hear from you!

Remember to join our amazing mastermind group. If you’re a certified health coach (or certified fitness professional) come on over!

See you there!