Very often, business coaching is about helping business owners and professionals get through tough slumps, ruts, setbacks, and disappointments. At The Growth Coach, our business coaches help entrepreneurs to get back on track, adopt more effective mindsets, regain their confidence and make recoveries...even achieve a certain level of redemption. I just never knew that I would be doing the same for my own boy.
Recently, I coached my 10-year old boy (Murph) out of a significant hitting slump he had been in for several games. While not a serious situation, my son was still struggling, unhappy, and hurting...as a parent, it was painful to watch. However, I was not overly concerned because I believe this type of adversity is good and helps build strength and character...that's why I'm a big fan of youth sports and the life lessons they can teach. I knew this was a perfect coaching moment for Murph.
You see, Murph started off the baseball season batting in the 4th spot (out of 13 kids). All last year and early this year, he was consistently smashing the baseball in practice and during games. Then something went awry about 3 weeks ago. He no longer looked comfortable and didn't appear confident in the batter's box. Something weird developed in his swing and his mind...very similar to when business owners go into their own mental slumps and setbacks. Like many of our business coaching clients who are too close to their own situation, Murph could not figure it out for himself and was getting quite frustrated. He needed help. Since he was not delivering powerful hits in the 4th spot, he was rightly moved down farther and farther in the lineup until he was in the 9th or 10th spot. He was not happy with his performance nor his demotion in the batting order. He was quite upset and very receptive to coaching!
Together, we talked and he expressed his strong desire to get better at the plate and to regain his 4th spot in the batting rotation. He set a goal to improve and even told his coach. I am also pleased to say that he took 100% responsibility for his results (he did not blame his coaches, the pitchers, his bat, etc.), worked very hard, was open to coaching from his dad, went back to the basics, and reached his goal this past weekend...he was once again smashing pitches in practice and games and returned to his 4th hitting spot. I was very proud of him and his effort. More important, he was proud of himself. Even his baseball coaches could not believe the recovery and major improvements he made so quickly.
How did he do it? He took responsibility and channeled his disappointment into productive action...he took the initiative to practice much more with his dad at home in our backyard (and truth be told, I loved spending even more time with him). The key was that he was open and receptive to coaching. As a business owner, are you? And like most athletes (and business owners for that matter), Murph truly needed the coaching. He could not objectively see what he was doing wrong...he was too close to the action. Isn't that a possibility with you and your business? Take this five-minute, on-line business coaching assessment to determine how much you could benefit from business coaching.
I threw Murph pitch after pitch in our backyard over many evenings until my arm was sore. We worked on his hitting fundamentals...we started from scratch. Soon he looked more comfortable swinging the bat, got better results, and his confidence returned. With greater confidence, he hit even better. Baseball, like business, is more of a mental thing than anything else. He confronted and beat his hitting slump and mental demons...at least for now. How great is that? More important than getting better was the process he learned to get better...that lesson can last a lifetime.
That's when the business coach in me kicked in. How many business owners are struggling in some capacity right now? Facing adversity of one kind or another...reducing expenses and personnel, experiencing lower sales, collecting cash slower, struggling to find reasonable financing, doing more with less, etc.? How many business owners are disappointed, uncomfortable, and in a mental slump? How many of them need coaching and some type of recovery and redemption?
If so, Murph gave us all the perfect coaching path to help get us out of our own personal batting slumps, whatever they may be: 1. Accept 100% responsibility for your current results...it's OK to even get mad. 2. Set a realistic goal for recovery and improvement and let someone know. 3. Get a coach to help you objectively assess your current situation, get clarity on your desired outcomes, and keep you accountable for achieving them. 4. Get back to the fundamentals and go to work...practice, practice, practice...take action, action, action. 5. Keep a positive mindset and focus on the results you want to see...visualize your success. 6. Get back your confidence...your swagger. 7. Achieve the results you want and take time to celebrate and be proud of yourself.
Here's to you staying out of a business owner's slump. If you do need help, however, call The Growth Coach. Batter up!
Daniel M. Murphy
President, Founder & Business Coach
The Growth Coach
Business Coaching Franchise System