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When the contract ends
At the start of my coaching career, I noticed a trend: clients would question their growth momentum in moments of insecurity, once our journey has ended. The reality of the matter was this was a completely distorted view and one I realised, could be practically addressed to avoid this future cycle.
When my work starts with a client, especially a start up business, progress is rapid. Values, vision, branding, website, social media, campaigns, staff policies and procedures etc. Within a week or two, BAM, you have tangible outcomes. There is nothing more exciting to see your customised logo staring back at you every time you send an email. Small things make big ripples! The emotional barriers, insecurities and past failures are brought to the light and the client develops confidence muscles they never thought obtainable.
A few weeks later, it is time for the client to journey solo and our contract comes to end. Then ..... the spiral of perceived stagnation starts. This is not what is happening in reality. They are progressing, however using our explosive start as their baseline, they are measuring their growth to an unattainable rhythm.
So how have I ensured this does not happen over and over again? From day one, my clients keep a GROWTH journal. Every breakthrough, idea, suggestion gets noted. When they fly solo, they continue doing this, and when they hit the "I am not going anywhere" slump, they grab the journal and clearly see there is movement. It might look different, perhaps a call to a potential new client, a new blog published, a deepwater conversation or a conflict resolution.
My role is not to motivate, but to mobilise. To plants seeds of ability every client knows they have, however not sure to nurture or take the leap to harvest. Each coach is unique in their approach, and this is my way of ensuring continued awareness and accountability.
May we never stop growing together
CHERONA D