Unlock Your Potential: Master the Mindset for Success

Entrepreneurship is a wild and unpredictable ride. Sure, there is a sense of certainty within the unknown but the one constant is, and will only ever be, you. As an executive coach solopreneur you must foster the resolve to meet challenges head on and remain accountable. You must collect the wood to build, light and fuel your own fire throughout the transition from corporate to coach - otherwise it will make for a challenging adjustment.

We have all heard the quiet voice - you can do this, there is more for you - but acting upon your dreams of becoming an executive coach entrepreneur will require different skills. Understanding the mental agility it takes to get comfortable with uncertainty is key. As is planning for success when building a coaching business - while relinquishing control and maintaining a flexible and unstoppable approach. You must stay strong in the knowledge that you are, and have always been, the secret to your success.

But, getting to this point doesn’t happen overnight. Many leaders that transition from corporate to coach were happily climbing the corporate ladder for years, with the next key leadership position or CEO role always within their sights. It is only when milestones are achieved and time is taken to reflect upon accomplishments that you can begin to question - what is success? And what does it mean to me?

Introspection often reveals that senior job titles and big salaries don't actually feel like success once attained, with many highly-accomplished individuals recognizing that authenticity and freedom of choice is the true definition of fulfillment. This can be at odds with success in the corporate world, leading to internal conflict. This is actually a common realization for those attracted to highly-skilled leadership positions. These individuals often have the drive and confidence to question the status quo and define their own destiny, with many ultimately deciding to transition from corporate to second career.

Fuelled by drive and ambition, by this point, the wood has been collected and the fire is ablaze with potential - but still, the decision to step onto the executive coach solopreneur rollercoaster requires preparation. Here is where corporate executives are well placed to navigate the transition as the ability to strategize and mitigate risk is a familiar skill. Smart planning is the superpower behind a successful pivot and a transferable skill from the corporate world. Not every aspect of entrepreneurship can be planned, but business is based upon strategic and smart decision making, which gives corporate executives launching a coaching business a solid foundation for their entrepreneurial journey.

But even still, accepting the uncertainty of entrepreneurship poses a significant challenge. Being unable to plan for what is coming takes its toll emotionally and accepting that some questions will remain unanswered for a while is truly testing. The best entrepreneurs in the world are not immune to the challenges of being in business, with the feelings of imposter syndrome and transition anxiety being entirely normal for all. But, understanding your potential triggers creates the difference, and allows for a stronger emotional tolerance to be harnessed. Many corporate executives journeying into entrepreneurship also experience identify shift challenges and a search for purpose as they pivot, so if this is you, you’re not alone.

Getting comfortable with the emotional challenges of building a coaching business is, in a nutshell, psychological readiness - the second risk pillar we address in the Solopreneur Risk Workbook. As part of the Workbook you learn to gather data, assess risk and work towards success as you leap into the world of entrepreneurship. Within the concept of psychological readiness, individual tolerance for uncertainty will be explored, as will the ability to problem solve, appetite for new challenges, how to cope when feeling isolated, decision making and defining your personal support system. Considering who will be on the journey with you is an important one. It’s a common misconception that doing it alone is the route of an executive coach solopreneur - but a support group can be built and utilized.

If you are still exploring entrepreneurship, the Elissa Kelly risk quiz serves as an initial step in understanding the four pillars of readiness. Alternatively, for those ready to take the leap, the structured Corporate to Coach program offers a roadmap for launching a coaching business.

Let’s get started on strategizing your success, together.