One thing any business owner and entrepreneur learns to do quickly is qualifying their clients.
Thought there is no perfect science on how to do this, in coaching there are a few pointers. A few months back I slashed my client base in half. Why would anyone want to do that while developing their business? Simple, I wanted the motivated ones. The less motivated would not have gotten as much of it and also would not have been the best representation of my practice either. I am interested in the ones who really show signs of not only wanting but are actually doing something about it. It’s fun to work with people like that.
The coaching relationship is very tricky. As a coach you learn to shut off your hidden agenda. You are there for your client and there for their agenda. That can be hard at times when all you want is for them to be happy. You have to remind yourself that it is their happiness, not yours.
In the end, I have a few clients who are absolutely amazing. Every week they get closer to what they want to do. Sometimes we might not find the exact thing they want to do but by doing a little bit every week and being held accountable the following, something always happens. There are always great plateaus after a little work.
Having a few great clients is much more satisfying then many with a few not as motivated ones. It’s a win-win situation.