When you first start a business it is really hard to say no to anyone. You will take anything you can get that is a paying gig and plenty that is unpaying. You also generally cast a pretty broad net until you figure out what you do best, enjoy most, and can actually make a living at.
It has been my experience that people can bring you energy or take your energy. I think I learned that from my amazing Mentor/Coach, Jerry, or maybe somewhere else in coaching school. But the more I work with a diverse group of clients the more I see this to be true. One energy-sucker in an important place in your life can destroy you. And you may not even know how damaging the effects of that person are until you get out from under their shade and into the sun. That can change everything.
I was reflecting the other day on how much easier my coaching life is now that I have a “mature” practice. I attract clients who are serious about change and I am better at vetting them to make sure they aren’t lying to themselves that they are ready. Sure, I have tough sessions, but it is different when it’s a tough session with some with whom I have a real connection and to whom the work is important. There is a big difference between 50 minutes of intense presence and concentration with that person and a session with someone who isn’t ready or invested.
I had a busy week last week. 5 clients on Tuesday, 6 clients on Wednesday with only a break for my workout in the middle of the day, 4 clients and a consultation on Thursday sandwiched around a workout and a speaking engagement in Somerville (90+ minutes in the car.) And at the end of it…
… I felt somewhat fatigued but not in any way destroyed. In fact, some of those session and the speaking engagement were so productive that I found them energizing. And, that’s just my professional life.
Standard Disclaimer: In an effort to foil my own perfectionist tendencies, I do not edit my posts much… if at all. Please excuse and typos, mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing. I focus on getting my content down. In my humble opinion, an imperfect post posted is infinitely better than a perfect post that goes unfinished.