Happy Wednesday! Today’s quote is:
“I got my start by giving myself a start.” (Madam C J Walker – entrepreneur, activist and philanthropist)
One of the things that I often see, and if I’m honest also done myself, is to get stuck before even starting on a project. We can overthink so much that we never actually get round to taking any action to get that start.
Perhaps you overthink because you think you need to know every single step before you take any action and the thing that’s keeping you stuck is that there’s parts you don’t yet know. With coaches I often see this showing up as thinking they need to know what every single question that will be asked will be before the client steps through the door or onto a call. It’s not at all uncommon for some steps to not be obvious until the step before is completed. Just like with a coaching conversation – how would you know what would be an appropriate follow up question to the previous answer until you have heard what the actual answer is!
Perhaps you think you know what every single step in the future is going to be, but it just seems totally overwhelming. I recently spoke to someone who was feeling overwhelmed at a project about reorganising their office space. The sheer list of everything they thought it would involve was exhausting. In reality when they settled in to make a start on just the very first step – adding in some joyful music they actually found that it wasn’t the draining exercise that they had expected and made a significant impact into the project within the first session rather than the imagined days.
In the realm of coaching, the journey often begins with a single step – a step propelled not by external forces, but by the choice of the individual. It doesn’t need to be a huge step (though for some it can be) it could be something that seems incredibly small but taking enough incredibly small steps, and you find that momentum follows.
Initiate Action: Self-starting is about more than just dreaming – it’s about taking action. As a coach, don’t wait for the perfect moment or the ideal circumstances to begin your journey. Start where you are, with what you have. Whether it’s launching a coaching program, writing a book, or establishing your online presence, the key is to take that first step. Remember, the path to success is paved by action, not by idle contemplation. I invite you to allow yourself to experiment and to give yourself the freedom to learn without the added pressure of a self impossed expectation of perfection.
Cultivate Resilience: The journey of self-starting is not without its challenges. There will be setbacks, obstacles, and moments of doubt along the way. However, it’s essential to cultivate resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Madam C.J. Walker faced numerous obstacles on her path to success, including poverty, discrimination, and health issues. Yet, she refused to be deterred, demonstrating unwavering resilience in pursuit of her goals.
What is resisilience? Well, one dictionary definition is “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.” I think the key to resilence is not giving too much meaning to the percieved challenge/obstacle.
If you have ever watched a small child learn to walk their focus is usually upon getting where they want to be heading in that moment – at some stage they have tried crawling or the “bum shuffle” and move on to trying to get there by standing and walking on their feet. If they topple over they dont have a story about what that means, that they obviously just weren’t meant to be a walker and give up.
What if, as an adult, we just look at an obstical as part of our journey without attributing some extra meaning about our own value in that? Would that make just taking the next step easier?
Forge Your Own Path: In a world filled with conformity and convention, self-starting requires the courage to forge your own path. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the norm or challenge the status quo. Madam C.J. Walker defied societal expectations of the time and blazed a trail for future generations of entrepreneurs, particularly women and African Americans. She broke percieved barriers and could inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds. What if you dared to be different? Innovate, experiment, and pioneer new approaches in your field or business. Remember, the most rewarding journeys are often those less traveled.
Empower Others Along the Way: True success is not measured solely by individual achievements but by the impact we have on others. Madam C.J. Walker understood the importance of lifting others as she climbed, empowering countless individuals through her business ventures, activism, and philanthropy. As a coach, I think our role naturally allows us to choose to strive to empower and uplift those you encounter on your journey, should you wish. Maybe it’s about sharing your knowledge, mentorship, and resources with others, paying forward the support you’ve received along the way.
In conclusion, the quote, “I got my start by giving myself a start,” encapsulates the essence of self-starting for coaches. Embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, initiate action, cultivate resilience, forge your own path, and empower others along the way. By embodying these principles, you’ll not only chart a course for your own success but also inspire others to embark on their own transformative journeys.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.
As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen offers here.